AFTER snatching a win against Fremantle last week, David Teague’s group are looking forward to a Friday night game in Darwin.

With Jack Newnes’ goal after the siren bringing a new energy to the group, Teague told media on Wednesday that his players have re-focused and are looking forward to their clash with Gold Coast to kick off Sir Doug Nicholls Round.  

While the Blues managed to get the win last week, there was a lot of learning for the group in preparation for the Suns. 

“One of the great things about this group is whether we win or lose, their ability to want to learn and get better and the way they train is probably the area you want to maintain,” Teague said. 

“We’ve had a really good review, there were a lot of areas we needed to get better from that game and identified and we also had a look at some of the things we did well.” 

Despite travelling most weeks and residing in hubs, Teague has been surprised at how well his side have been recovering and pushing themselves in training.  

“One of the things I’ve really been proud of is the way the guys get themselves up,” he said. 

“You might see them around the hotel and think their energy is low but as soon as we step onto the oval to train or to play, they find a way to get up with each other and there’s a fair bit of energy.”

The Blues have been focussing on what they can control, with the next game always being the main task.

Teague said the team was firmly focused on the task at hand this Friday with Gold Coast waiting in the wings.

“We just look at what we can control and right now it’s our preparation and our performance come game day,” he said. 

“We think every week we go out there, we expect to win and that’s what we’re going out there to do this weekend.”

Carlton will be opening the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round in Darwin, hopefully lining up with all four of their Indigenous players. 

“We feel very honoured that we get to open Sir Doug Nicholls Round,” he said. 

“We as a football club have a great history and our jumper this week represents the six current players on the Carlton list as well as the past, and we want to do that proud.

It has been a long time since the Blues have played in Darwin, but Teague is hopeful the team can adjust to the conditions, as well as exciting the local fans. 

“It will probably be more the temperature and the humidity that will be the biggest change,” he said. 

“We think the Aboriginal players of the past have brought so much excitement to the game so hopefully we can play a style and brand that excites the fans on Friday night. 

 “I would love the fans as much as they can to get behind all things Aboriginal, not just football and the flag, but their culture as well.”