“GOOD progression.”
That’s how assistant coach Aaron Hamill and those involved with Carlton saw the AAMI Community Series clash with GWS in Canberra.
While the scoreboard said it was a 58-point win for the Blues, the team continued to focus on advancing their game and chasing improvement in the lead-up to the season proper.
Here’s what he had to say.
On his outlook on the game:
“It’s good progression for us. We really wanted to see where we were at and get good feedback against a quality time in GWS, in particular how they move the ball and how they can run at you aggressively.
“We thought defensively we were quite strong and held up well, it’s good feedback for us. We’ve still got a fair bit of improvement to do and tinkering with our system, but overall part of our plan was to keep progressing.”
On how the performance was set up:
“Where the game is won and lost - in the midfield - we were quite dominant in there and able to get our front-half game going, which was pleasing.
“Overall, we wanted to start well like you do in every game: we thought a number of players stood out, but our midfield got to work early and we were able to set up behind the ball which was pleasing.”
On Mitch McGovern:
“There was certainly no risk with ‘Gov’, he’ll be fine. We got through pretty well, we had a squad of 26 and you would’ve seen in the second half we rotated quite strongly through there.”
On the focus being on Round 1:
“Every game is important, we want to keep progressing and keep continually improving our footy in all phases. Round 1 is Round 1, but no different to Round 10. We want to start well, we know what we’re chasing in terms of our system and our belief within.”
On young Blues gaining experience:
“The pleasing part is we had nine players under 50 games, that’s good for our supporters to see and for us to get a look at a couple.
“Lucas Camporeale was one on the wing we liked, he’s getting to work and he’s improving in that position. He was one of a number that we liked… We focused quite heavily on [Francis Evans’] defence and the reward was his goal.
“We’ll keep injecting the youth, but overall, we thought our leaders also performed quite strongly and put us in a really good position.”
