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'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test
'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test

The Advertiser

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • The Advertiser

'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test

Carlton have taken a collective deep breath in their mid-season AFL break as their straightforward problem proves diabolically hard to fix. "For us it's pretty simple - it's just our connection, we think," says defender Mitch McGovern. "We've been doing a lot of work - and it started over the pre-season. "Unfortunately it hasn't come to fruition out on the oval, but we've been working our arses off trying to get that right." That inability to make the most of their defence and contested-ball work as they head into attack has been a big reason Carlton's season is on the precipice with a 4-7 record. Rather than have a mid-season camp, as they famously did two years ago, the Blues went their separate ways. McGovern, being the father of three children, visited Werribee Zoo. They will return to action in the King's Birthday eve clash on Sunday night against arch-rivals Essendon, who similarly are outside the top eight and badly in need of a win. Asked who are underdogs for the game, McGovern replied: "great question - ask the bookies." Standing next to Essendon key forward Peter Wright at an MCG media call on Monday, McGovern said the Blues must be more selfless as they try to solve their connection issues going into attack. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay are obvious forward targets, but Carlton must be more selective. "We're doing a lot right. We're defending really well ... we just need to finish, our players are getting opportunities," McGovern said. "The competition is too even to not have a consistent four-quarter effort, which we've shown over the last six weeks, where we've let teams back into it. "It's a hard one, like having Peter up in the forward line for Essendon. When you have a tall target like Charlie and Harry, it's hard to not kick to them when you know how good they are and what they can produce. "It's more for us being selfless teammates and bringing other people into the game more, how to score better as a collective rather than individuals." Equally, the Blues know they must not throw the baby out with the bath water, as their defence and contest work is giving them opportunities. "We can't just focus in on what's not working, we have to focus in on what we're good at," he said. Carlton have taken a collective deep breath in their mid-season AFL break as their straightforward problem proves diabolically hard to fix. "For us it's pretty simple - it's just our connection, we think," says defender Mitch McGovern. "We've been doing a lot of work - and it started over the pre-season. "Unfortunately it hasn't come to fruition out on the oval, but we've been working our arses off trying to get that right." That inability to make the most of their defence and contested-ball work as they head into attack has been a big reason Carlton's season is on the precipice with a 4-7 record. Rather than have a mid-season camp, as they famously did two years ago, the Blues went their separate ways. McGovern, being the father of three children, visited Werribee Zoo. They will return to action in the King's Birthday eve clash on Sunday night against arch-rivals Essendon, who similarly are outside the top eight and badly in need of a win. Asked who are underdogs for the game, McGovern replied: "great question - ask the bookies." Standing next to Essendon key forward Peter Wright at an MCG media call on Monday, McGovern said the Blues must be more selfless as they try to solve their connection issues going into attack. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay are obvious forward targets, but Carlton must be more selective. "We're doing a lot right. We're defending really well ... we just need to finish, our players are getting opportunities," McGovern said. "The competition is too even to not have a consistent four-quarter effort, which we've shown over the last six weeks, where we've let teams back into it. "It's a hard one, like having Peter up in the forward line for Essendon. When you have a tall target like Charlie and Harry, it's hard to not kick to them when you know how good they are and what they can produce. "It's more for us being selfless teammates and bringing other people into the game more, how to score better as a collective rather than individuals." Equally, the Blues know they must not throw the baby out with the bath water, as their defence and contest work is giving them opportunities. "We can't just focus in on what's not working, we have to focus in on what we're good at," he said. Carlton have taken a collective deep breath in their mid-season AFL break as their straightforward problem proves diabolically hard to fix. "For us it's pretty simple - it's just our connection, we think," says defender Mitch McGovern. "We've been doing a lot of work - and it started over the pre-season. "Unfortunately it hasn't come to fruition out on the oval, but we've been working our arses off trying to get that right." That inability to make the most of their defence and contested-ball work as they head into attack has been a big reason Carlton's season is on the precipice with a 4-7 record. Rather than have a mid-season camp, as they famously did two years ago, the Blues went their separate ways. McGovern, being the father of three children, visited Werribee Zoo. They will return to action in the King's Birthday eve clash on Sunday night against arch-rivals Essendon, who similarly are outside the top eight and badly in need of a win. Asked who are underdogs for the game, McGovern replied: "great question - ask the bookies." Standing next to Essendon key forward Peter Wright at an MCG media call on Monday, McGovern said the Blues must be more selfless as they try to solve their connection issues going into attack. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay are obvious forward targets, but Carlton must be more selective. "We're doing a lot right. We're defending really well ... we just need to finish, our players are getting opportunities," McGovern said. "The competition is too even to not have a consistent four-quarter effort, which we've shown over the last six weeks, where we've let teams back into it. "It's a hard one, like having Peter up in the forward line for Essendon. When you have a tall target like Charlie and Harry, it's hard to not kick to them when you know how good they are and what they can produce. "It's more for us being selfless teammates and bringing other people into the game more, how to score better as a collective rather than individuals." Equally, the Blues know they must not throw the baby out with the bath water, as their defence and contest work is giving them opportunities. "We can't just focus in on what's not working, we have to focus in on what we're good at," he said.

'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test
'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test

West Australian

time4 days ago

  • Sport
  • West Australian

'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test

Carlton have taken a collective deep breath in their mid-season AFL break as their straightforward problem proves diabolically hard to fix. "For us it's pretty simple - it's just our connection, we think," says defender Mitch McGovern. "We've been doing a lot of work - and it started over the pre-season. "Unfortunately it hasn't come to fruition out on the oval, but we've been working our arses off trying to get that right." That inability to make the most of their defence and contested-ball work as they head into attack has been a big reason Carlton's season is on the precipice with a 4-7 record. Rather than have a mid-season camp, as they famously did two years ago, the Blues went their separate ways. McGovern, being the father of three children, visited Werribee Zoo. They will return to action in the King's Birthday eve clash on Sunday night against arch-rivals Essendon, who similarly are outside the top eight and badly in need of a win. Asked who are underdogs for the game, McGovern replied: "great question - ask the bookies." Standing next to Essendon key forward Peter Wright at an MCG media call on Monday, McGovern said the Blues must be more selfless as they try to solve their connection issues going into attack. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay are obvious forward targets, but Carlton must be more selective. "We're doing a lot right. We're defending really well ... we just need to finish, our players are getting opportunities," McGovern said. "The competition is too even to not have a consistent four-quarter effort, which we've shown over the last six weeks, where we've let teams back into it. "It's a hard one, like having Peter up in the forward line for Essendon. When you have a tall target like Charlie and Harry, it's hard to not kick to them when you know how good they are and what they can produce. "It's more for us being selfless teammates and bringing other people into the game more, how to score better as a collective rather than individuals." Equally, the Blues know they must not throw the baby out with the bath water, as their defence and contest work is giving them opportunities. "We can't just focus in on what's not working, we have to focus in on what we're good at," he said.

'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test
'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test

Perth Now

time4 days ago

  • Sport
  • Perth Now

'Working our arses off' - Blues re-set for Bombers test

Carlton have taken a collective deep breath in their mid-season AFL break as their straightforward problem proves diabolically hard to fix. "For us it's pretty simple - it's just our connection, we think," says defender Mitch McGovern. "We've been doing a lot of work - and it started over the pre-season. "Unfortunately it hasn't come to fruition out on the oval, but we've been working our arses off trying to get that right." That inability to make the most of their defence and contested-ball work as they head into attack has been a big reason Carlton's season is on the precipice with a 4-7 record. Rather than have a mid-season camp, as they famously did two years ago, the Blues went their separate ways. McGovern, being the father of three children, visited Werribee Zoo. They will return to action in the King's Birthday eve clash on Sunday night against arch-rivals Essendon, who similarly are outside the top eight and badly in need of a win. Asked who are underdogs for the game, McGovern replied: "great question - ask the bookies." Standing next to Essendon key forward Peter Wright at an MCG media call on Monday, McGovern said the Blues must be more selfless as they try to solve their connection issues going into attack. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay are obvious forward targets, but Carlton must be more selective. "We're doing a lot right. We're defending really well ... we just need to finish, our players are getting opportunities," McGovern said. "The competition is too even to not have a consistent four-quarter effort, which we've shown over the last six weeks, where we've let teams back into it. "It's a hard one, like having Peter up in the forward line for Essendon. When you have a tall target like Charlie and Harry, it's hard to not kick to them when you know how good they are and what they can produce. "It's more for us being selfless teammates and bringing other people into the game more, how to score better as a collective rather than individuals." Equally, the Blues know they must not throw the baby out with the bath water, as their defence and contest work is giving them opportunities. "We can't just focus in on what's not working, we have to focus in on what we're good at," he said.

AFL 2025: Essendon, Carlton poised for June final in annual King's Birthday eve clash
AFL 2025: Essendon, Carlton poised for June final in annual King's Birthday eve clash

News.com.au

time4 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • News.com.au

AFL 2025: Essendon, Carlton poised for June final in annual King's Birthday eve clash

The enormity of Sunday night's clash at the MCG has not escaped either Carlton or Essendon. The Bombers fell out of touch with the eight despite a brave loss to Brisbane last week, while the Blues are on the edge of fumbling another finals push. Although the Blues have a favourable draw against some lesser sides in the run home, a revival from 4-8 would be turnaround of magical proportions. The next three weeks will define the Bombers' season as the Blues kickstart a three-week stretch that includes Geelong and Fremantle in Perth. Essendon forward Peter Wright says there is an 'added bit of pressure' to taking on the Blues every year – but even more so this time given the potential season-shaping ramifications. 'It's obviously a really big rivalry, a really storeyed rivalry,' Wright said. 'I think any time you get two big Melbourne clubs playing against each other you feel that added bit of pressure. 'I think Sunday night is going to be a massive crowd and that adds to the atmosphere, even where we both are on the ladder, it means a lot to both teams.' Carlton defender Mitch McGovern echoed Wright's evaluation of the occasion and expected to fight for the Blues' season in front of a packed MCG. 'We're obviously both in the same situation on the ledger, big game, big crowd,' McGovern said. 'It's always exciting to play against the Bombers every year, particularly this one on Sunday.' Despite the Bombers' higher ranking on the ladder after 12 rounds, the Blues will go into Sunday night as favourite. 'That's a great question, ask the bookies,' McGovern quipped when asked who should go into Sunday as the underdog. Wright doesn't think Essendon should be underestimated, suggesting the Bombers' best is good enough to bring down sides mightier than the Blues. 'We'll probably both say the other team, we feel like our best footy is capable of beating anyone,' Wright said.

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