BIGGER than ever.

As the Blues prepare for their biggest AFL Carlton Respects Game crowd ever this Friday night, the ramifications continue to heat up when Carlton meets Geelong for the second time in just seven weeks.

Wearing the new guernsey which the Blues will wear on Friday night, Walsh answered questions from media inside the classroom at Coburg Primary School about the initiative and the rest of the year to come.

On joining Mitch McGovern at Coburg Primary School for Carlton Respects:

“I think it's great to give back any chance that we get. We're pretty privileged position to play at a club like Carlton that has a big following. But for a round like this, I think the ability for us to make an impact at primary school, which is probably where you learn the most as a kid, is a pretty cool opportunity for us to have. 

“We're looking forward to putting on these jumpers on Friday night, it'll probably start a lot of conversations in itself.”

On what Carlton Respects means to the playing group:

“Gender equality is a massive goal for us, and the prevention of violence against women is obviously a big issue in the world and in this country. We've got to be able to start with educating the kids at a young age, because I think you can make some big differences in that way. I think for us, we're role models in the community, so to be able to be up-skilled about that and impart a little bit of knowledge on people can be pretty rewarding.

“I think a lot of clubs have great initiatives and sometimes it's hard to do everything. I love that Carlton, ever since I've been at the Club, has been consistent with aiming to make this a goal of preventing violence against women. It's a very important issue. I think the AFL do a great amount of work in plenty of areas, but this is one that can keep getting focused on.”

On the challenges Geelong present for the second time in 2024:

“Yeah, it's been great. We went into the bye off a strong month of footy but we're looking to back that up now and go again and feeling refreshed. Geelong got the better us last time and their attack was pretty potent. 

“The lessons you learn from that, hopefully we can implement. We only played them seven or eight weeks ago, so it comes very quick. I think playing on the MCG is always a pretty big occasion. From that game and probably a few games after that, we learned we need to be a little bit more connected as an 18 defending. 

“If you have one or two breakdowns in AFL footy now, particularly the way Geelong play, they play quick, they're attacking and have a lot of hybrid forwards. I feel like if we're all working together, it can stop them at the source. Geelong are renowned for being strong and their power in the contest. Being able to negate that and get the territory battle on our side will be crucial.”

On Geelong being a fast-starting side:

“It's a good point. They've had some really big starts to games and periods of games this year where they've kicked six, seven, eight goals. I think the best teams in the comp don't allow teams to get too much of a jump. 

“Even Sydney showed that they were able to come back from that, but we've been starting games really well this year and that's a theme we'll look to continue.”

On Patrick Dangerfield’s likely return:

“Last time, he was pretty important for them with his ability to win the contested ball and then they can spread on the outside, it's a strength of their midfield. Guys like Atkins and Parfitt can provide that real tackling pressure and they've got some guys on the outside like Bruhn and Holmes that have stood up. 

“I think they're pretty well balanced in that area, but so are we. We're building as a midfield group. I think last week against Essendon we probably started started off alright in that area with pressure, but then fell away towards the end. We're looking for a four-quarter performance.”

On coming up against the Cats:

“I’m always pretty eager. I'm from Geelong way, so I always like having the bragging rights over Cats fans. You want to challenge yourself against the best teams, and they have been for a fair while now. Any game is important, but Friday night you add that extra edge to it.”

On the Club’s injured players:

“They're tracking really well. Since coming back after the bye, it feels like we've got a great amount of numbers out training on the track, which is always good at this time of year. 

“I think with those guys, they're still looking for a block of work, a bit like what I had at the start of the season to have a mini block of pre-season nearly. Then you can come into the team and fire on all cylinders.”

On Alex Cincotta’s recent impact:

“Alex has been unreal. You see the way he trains, it's no mistake why he gets it done on game day. He was doing that day on back, and now we've seen a little bit of an element he can do it for the midfielders as well. 

“There's a lot of players in the competition that can break games are open and if you can negate that and go back the other way, it's important. All of us mids want to be two-way strong runners, but Alex adds that extra edge to really go at opposition and hunt them.”

On umpiring in the AFL:

“I think the game is probably harder than ever to officiate. Different weeks, there are probably different lenses put on different roles. You've just got to be good at adjusting as players. We have umpires who come into training, so you feel like you're well enough prepared for that week to handle any situation. 

“For us, we want to be a strong outnumber team so you can get rewarded with tackling or getting ground balls. Not much changes with our mindset.”

On looking back at how the Blues performed off the bye last year:

“This is where the strong teams really start to fire, and that's because they've put in a block of work of training throughout the season that's looking to get better each week. You don't want to fall away. I feel like our trade intensity has been a good barometer of that. 

“We've been able to reset. We know how important this period was for year and it's the same again. Being able to stay focused and know what we need to work on keeps us.”

On the Club’s constant work on their identity throughout 2024:

“The thing I've liked about this year is post-game, we've reviewed what we want our identity to be and then gone to work on that. Each week, you feel you've made strides in different areas. 

“We have a block of games coming up that we get to play on the MCG and really look at all elements of our game. I feel like us as a group, you're mature enough now to know that you've got to be consistent each week to be a respected team in the comp.”

On how the body is feeling after an interrupted start:

“The body's feeling great. I have had a really enjoyable season with being able to have a good routine with things. The body's feeling ready to go each week. From that, I got to the bye and was still feeling pretty good physically and mentally. 

“You definitely take a break when it's given, I had four or five days off. By the end of that, you're itching to get back into it. Being able to switch off is also a key thing, which I think the Club's great with at the moment, having balance of us being out there training, but also being able to relax and switch off.”