JACOB Weitering is well and truly aware of the hurt that was felt on Sunday afternoon.
But if the Blues are to turn things around in the final weeks of the 2024 home-and-away season, the co-vice captain and the wider playing group can’t afford to dwell on recent results.
Carlton is preparing for a trip across the Nullarbor for a clash with West Coast, with the injury toll of the heavy loss from Hawthorn still to be determined.
Fronting up to speak to media on Tuesday, Weitering said the result and performance was a bitter pill to swallow — but attention had quickly turned to trying to make things right.
“It was tough. In the second quarter, there were a lot of things from a team system point of view where we lost connection, there wasn’t a whole lot of communication and there were some honest conversations about what we can do better as individuals,” Weitering said.
“It’s for the fans, it’s for our family. We let ourselves down.
“We’ve got an opportunity to make it right. We’ve got some young boys who are keen for a go, and there might be some opportunities this week.”
With the Blues conceding over 100 points for the sixth time this season (after just four occasions in the previous two years), Weitering said it was imperative for the Blues to get back to what they do best — pressure and contest.
Aware of the commentary surrounding the Blues at the moment, Weitering said the team would look to rectify what was controllable as the home-and-away season enters its final fortnight.
“We’re not naive to the fact that it’s the biggest part of our game, [playing in] September.
“We’ve got a job to do this week. What’s happened has happened. Two years ago, we were in a pretty similar position where we didn’t get it done against Collingwood, and last year everyone was saying to blow the place up again, calling for ‘Vossy’s’ head — then everyone saw what happened.
“Our best is certainly good enough, if we play the right way with our identity of pressure and contest.
“You can’t worry about what happens in the past or look too far in the future. You’ve got look at the process.”
Onto Sunday, and a trip to Optus Stadium with a side that will have a different look to it personnel-wise to previous weeks.
“We’ve been in these situations before: it’s a test of character, culture, values and the way we play the game. From the leaders down, it’s something we’re going to take with two hands and run with.
“We’ve got to get a job done this week.”
