Big Sauce back for Bloods
Carlton ruckman Sam Jacobs has been recalled to the team in one of at least two changes.
Jacobs, who replaces the omitted Shaun Hampson, is one of at least two changes to the team which came up six points short in the Fremantle match at Subiaco Oval. A replacement for the in-form, but injured Shaun Grigg will come from either Richard Hadley, Andrew Walker, Joe Anderson or Steven Browne - all of whom have been named on an extended interchange.
The four-man interchange will finalised at 5pm tomorrow (Friday).
A genuine sense of anticipation prevails amongst Carlton’s senior footballers, as they ready for the Swans, and the opportunity to atone for last year’s final quarter fade-out in the eliminator at the Gabba.
Carlton captain Chris Judd perfectly articulated the feelings of all members of the senior playing group in stressing the importance of a four-quarter showing. Only seems like yesterday his team was overrun by Brisbane having earned a four-goal lead at the final change, but it’s night on ten years since Carlton’s last finals victory.
“It would be great for this group to win a final,” Judd said during the week.
“It would be a great reward for our fans as well, who in the last decade haven’t had a lot of finals to go and watch.
“In finals you just can't afford to take your foot off the pedal, whether that is in the first quarter for 10 minutes or the last quarter for 20 minutes, like happened last year.
“That whole time, the group have to be concentrating and all pulling in the same direction. We got a lesson from last year but by the same token we also played some pretty good footy there for three quarters. Hopefully some of the players will take some confidence out of that.”
While much has been made of the so-called vast expanses of ANZ Stadium, it’s a little known fact that with dimensions of 160 metres x 118 metres the venue’s playing area is as long but narrower than that at Visy Park (160 metres x 135 metres).