Only the hearts of the cold could not be moved by the heroics of the Blueboys over the weekend. From Scotland’s continual chopping off of leads and hard running, to Lappin’s last quarter spoils and smothers, to Cloke’s attempts to get off the ground concussed, and then to Russell’s last-minute last-gasp last-reach of the fingertip spoil in front of Hird, the Blues moved us all in that comeback win. But only one player can win Mike & Dan’s Play of the Week, and that player this week wins the award not only from a terrific tackle on the dangerous Andrew Lovett with only minutes to go, but for his baulking, running and monstering of one of the games premier forwards, Matthew Lloyd. Setanta ‘Carlos’ o’hAilpin – we want to talk to you! And so we did…
'Carlos Candy' is what they fans are calling it. How'd you learn to baulk like that? Did you learn it from Bryce Gibbs or did he learn it from you?
I used to see players do it on TV when I watched games back in Ireland, Gibbsy did it as well on the weekend, it is a highlight of the game, you know the fans love things like that.
There’s also that last minute tackle on little Lovett. Is it hard tackling the little forward pockets when your arms are coming down from a height many centimetre’s above their head?
Yeah, I have been working on my tackling. He is really quick, I was just happy to get the free kick.
Tell us about the crowd – is it hard to concentrate with 65,000 screaming fans, or can you block it out?
The fans are great, it’s so loud out on the ground, I try to block it out a fair bit. I’m really trying to concentrate out on the ground.
How did you prepare to take on the competition's biggest goal-kicker? Did you watch videos of his games?
I watched a lot of videos; I spoke to T-bird you know, he has played on him before, I did extra work with the Coaches as well. He is one of the best of all time so you know there is a lot of homework to do on him.
It is hard enough trying to understand the umpiring decisions on the weekend as followers of the game all of our lives. Has anyone been able to explain them to you? By the way – we still can’t work many of them out!
Oh you win some you lose some, that’s footy so you can’t worry, just do what you think is right and things will go your way…most of the time … hahaha.
It was very frustrating watching the first half, with the push in the back rule applied to one players and not others. Have you got the hang of that one yet? Is it an advantage that you have being new to the game that some rules from the past don’t hurt you as much?
We have been explained the rules on that, we work them into our training, is it an advantage? I’m not sure.
You were quoted in an Irish newspaper saying Aisake plays in a better position than you do. It's hard to think of a position more important to us than Full Back....
Full Back is a very important position and if I can play my role for the team it’s a benefit to us. Aisake plays a bit in the ruck you know, you’re involved in more of the play, there is always action and I just love being involved in the play.
Speaking of Aisake, how is he coming along? Must be great to have your brother here too?
He is loving it, he is learning like me all the time, he has been suspended so it’s a slow start to the season for him. He is going well, working with TD and Mitch a lot. It has been great for me to have him here.
How did you learn the Full Back role without many established Full Backs at the Club? Who are you learning the tricks from – Thornton?
As I said before, T-bird is a champion you know, he has been tremendous for me since I arrived at the club, I cant thank him enough for everything he has done for me.
Life as a defender must be hard - It must be frustrating when you win most of the key marking contests yet your man can still get a few goals by running into the goal square away from play or getting easy frees in front of goal?
I suppose that is the way footy goes, it’s a team game and sometimes you know you have to sacrifice your opponent for the good of the team, but it can backfire as well.
Let us tell you we loved it when you attacked the ball to punch it in the third quarter - how did you feel when the Bombers gathered your punch and kicked it back over your head?
As I said, it’s footy I suppose…
Did you always want to come over to Australia and try out at AFL or did someone put the seed in to your mind?
I saw it on the TV and I loved it, you know it’s a great game.
Do Irish Pubs in Australia look anything like an Irish Pub?
Haha, I don’t drink, so I haven’t been to many pubs back home or in Australia
What are your long-term plans – do you want to A) win a Premiership and go home; B) Finish your career as an AFL player or C) Head home some time earlier and try your hand back at Ireland?
Who knows what the future holds, all I know is that we have a job to do here at Carlton. If there is one thing I have learnt since I have been here, it is that this Club is the greatest football club in the country and us young guys have the job to get it back to where it belongs.
No doubt the Irishman is having an impact on the game at large – taking on one of the hardest positions in Football but with the added interest of having the height of a ruckman and pace of a wingman. From his spoiling, his baulking and yelling at training drills ‘GIVE ME THE BALL’ Setanta is giving Blues fans much enjoyment as he emerges as a key player for the Carlton Football Club.