JACOB Weitering’s season has not been without interruption, but after returning from a quad injury to shine for the Northern Blues, the calm defender has found his way back into Carlton’s defence.
A member of the 2015 draft crop that marked the first stage of Carlton’s rebuild, Weitering will notch up 50 AFL games this weekend against arch-nemesis Collingwood.
The 20-year-old was on hand after training this week to give Carlton Media his take on the loss to Fremantle, and what to expect from the Blues throughout the remainder of the season.
What were the key areas you worked on while playing in the VFL?
I went back to my strengths, which are marking and using my leg as a big man. It was nice to play with some players I haven’t played with in the past. It was good to get a win as well down at Frankston (VFL) in front of some friends and family.
Jacob Weitering went back to his strengths in the VFL. (Photo: AFL Media)
How is the team’s morale?
The one win on the stats sheet isn’t nice to look at, but from inside the four walls, the boys are staying really positive. We have got values we want to live and die by. The team has reset from the performance we had on the weekend and we are looking into the future. We have got plenty of games to go. So, we will just give 100 per cent effort from here on. We want to be defined by pressure – 'Crippa' (Patrick Cripps), Ed (Curnow) and the other leaders have been leading the way in that aspect, and hopefully some more boys can follow along.
What were the main takeaways from the Fremantle game?
It was obviously a disappointing weekend for the Club. It was certainly effort-based which is even more disappointing. We had a very honest review yesterday. The boys have reset as individuals and as a team. We went out on the training track today and had a really good session and we look forward to Collingwood now.
What do you bring from the Round 3 game against Collingwood into this weekend’s match?
Obviously playing Collingwood in Round 3, it was nice to get a look at them early on. Their players have had a pretty good season to date. They’ve got some really good players in the midfield and Mason Cox up forward clunking them. I think it’s just going to go back to giving 100 per cent effort, playing a system and playing our roles for the team.
You will notch up 50 games this weekend – how does that feel?
It’s a massive honour to play 50 games with the Carlton Football Club. Obviously it’s one of the biggest clubs in Melbourne. It’s a really proud moment for me, but it’s a small milestone. I will just take it in my stride and just play it as I have every game, and just play my role for the team.
Carlton meets Collingwood at the MCG from 3.20pm this Sunday.
