AS the Blues prepare to face the Dockers for the second time this season, Carlton leader Ed Curnow says the midfield group will be looking to respond this Sunday afternoon at Optus Stadium.
Travelling to Perth for the first time this year, the team’s aim and desire is to rectify its disappointing performance against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium in Round 13, which saw the Blues suffer a 57-point defeat.
Speaking to Sportsday WA on Thursday night, 28-year-old Curnow highlighted areas the Blues need to improve if they are to walk away with the four points on Sunday afternoon.
“Being part of the midfield group at our club we got smashed against GWS last week and I think last time coming off the bye against Freo, we were sloppy and sluggish and didn’t execute our plan around stoppages,” Curnow said.
“So, we need to respond and there’s a few of us in there who have really set our sights on this week as being a time for action.
“I’m really looking forward to coming over, I used to come over to Perth and play at Subi (Subiaco) on the big grounds. I know the ground (Optus Stadium) is a similar size to the MCG here and it’s a nice deck, so I’m looking forward to getting our running game going and having a crack.”
Currently ranked second at the Club for contested possessions behind Patrick Cripps, Curnow gathered 26 disposals including five tackles and five clearances the last time the two sides met.
Receiving Carlton’s Best Clubman award last year, the midfielder understands lapses in concentration during games have cost the team dearly this season – something it's working hard on to curtail.
“I feel like we’ve always got a strong plan and system in place as we go into the game on the weekend. The players really truly believe we can compete and go in and get the win,” he said.
“It’s just in games the momentum swings, things don’t go our way and unfortunately we’re unable to execute those plans, and I think that just shows there’s a bit of a lack of maturity in the group and that’s something we’re trying to learn as quickly as we can.”
While it’s no doubt been a challenging year for the Club, Curnow believes the adversities faced this season will hold the Blues in good stead for years to come.
“It’s been a tough year, but it’s been a year we’ll come through certainly as a tighter and more resilient group, having the experience of suffering a lot of losses and a lot of different injuries,” Curnow said.
“However, that means there’s been plenty of opportunity for young players to understand what it takes to play in the AFL against some quality opposition, so that’s going to give us the opportunity to springboard into the off-season and bounce back next year.”
Carlton takes on Fremantle this Sunday afternoon at Optus Stadium, with all the action kicking off at 2:40pm (local time). Read our match-day guide here.
