Nice goal - you've nabbed some important ones this year. Is this something you've been working on?
I’ve been doing work on my kicking in general so it was nice to put one through the big sticks.
It seemed tricky out there. How blustery were the conditions?
It was really blustery. Kicking to the left hand side of screen the wind would deflect off the stand & do all sorts of things. A couple of Fev’s kicks dropped early – it was really swirly.
Did you realise that you guys have extended a record winning streak by Carlton over Port to... Three?
** Laughs ** I wouldn’t call it an extended winning streak, but 3 is still good! Especially considering 2 of those were over there. Winning interstate is not easy & you’ll take that every time.
In fact, our friends at the Blueseum would like to highlight that this is in fact a record winning streak for Carlton over Port, and also the first time we’ve ever had consecutive wins over them – click here for details.
The media made a lot of the so-called 'dislike' between the two clubs. Was it just hype, or are there sides you genuinely want to beat more than others?
Not really – you take a win no matter who it’s against & it’s probably unrealistic to say you want 4 points against one team more than another. I’d say if there is any hatred it’s probably more from them than from us! The game itself wasn’t particularly spiteful apart from a few pushes & shoves.
We were well beaten in the clearances but won by 9 goals - what can we put this down to?
Brogan & Lade are an experienced duo & whilst we did our best to counter them, they were just hard to match. To still be able to win just shows how hard we worked at both ends of the ground.
Ratts spoke about how we've changed our interstate routine & go up a day earlier now. What are your thoughts - how does this benefit?
Going early is good – you probably don’t notice it much for the short trips like Adelaide but for the longer trips it’s an improvement. We’re 3 from 3 using this method - so far so good!
Your 100th is coming up if you can play 4 more matches this year. Will you get there in time?
I hope so. We are certain to play finals so it would be fantastic & very exciting to bring it up in a final.
Tell us what it means for you to get to 100 and have your name on the locker…
Unbelievable. When I started it seemed a million miles away & I didn’t really think about it.
The club was quite flat in the middle of the year but is on a bit of a roll now. What is the difference?
I think getting a few guys back has given us a bit of an extra kick that we needed. Guys like Walker & Wiggins have given us a new resolve. To have more players available & all pulling in the same direction has really helped.
Joseph has done a great job as a nominated rookie - following in your footsteps. Do you think that rookie listers are just seen as part of the list these days, subject to a few clear differences?
When I started there was more of a feeling that rookies topped up & filled in the end of drills etc but things have come a long way even in that short time. Now they are part & parcel of the full list.
Any other rookies set to break through in the coming year?
Dave Ellard would be leading the Bullants B & F so far I’d say. Plays 6 inches taller & 10kg heavier than he is. Unfortunately Luke Stanton has a back problem & is out for the rest of the year but he was also looking promising early. Of course these guys wouldn’t be able to develop without the support of Darren Harris, David Teague, & Rob Harvey who are all doing a fantastic job.
Is there a buzz about the club now that both the Bullants and the Blues look destined for September action?
Yep. It’s been a long time since the firsts have been in the finals & I’m not even sure how long since both the firsts & seconds.
Has training changed over the past month or so? Does it ramp at this time of the year or does it taper off?
Neither really – it more depends on how many days break you have before the game. This week with a 6 day break it’s been pretty light – but we’ll lift it up a bit for the final session of the week.
We're coming off a great win, have won 6 of our last 7 and are playing a team who many are saying can't win to protect a draft pick. Is there any danger of complacency this week?
No way. Melbourne kicked 20 goals on the weekend which is a great achievement & they can’t be underestimated. We’ve got to keep our form going & can’t afford to take a step back.
You played your first AFL game against this week's opponent in 2005. What do you remember of the game?
I remember it was at Visy Park & we won. I was extremely nervous – I don’t think I’ll ever forget the nerves. But the main thing that I remember was the thrill of playing for Carlton at the ground where I used to come & watch the Blues play when I was growing up.
Like to have a crack at any of your teammates?
I’d like to remind Andy Walker to remember to bring his wallet the next time he comes out with us!!
Carrazzo seems to be one of those guys that is thrown from role to role - defensive mid, defensive forward, defender (and even some time midfielder) – but he just keeps on getting the stats. Add some improved and key-moment goal kicking and you can see why he is a core part of our Best 22.
Please Note: the views expressed in the above article are solely the opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the Carlton Football Club or those employees of the Club. The Carlton Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of those supporters who contribute to carltonfc.com.au.
