Last season, Carlton found themselves in a precarious position with just five wins and a draw from 14 games before their mid-season break. However, they dramatically turned things around, embarking on a nine-game winning streak that propelled them into the finals.
In the preliminary final, Carlton narrowly lost to Brisbane by 13 points, fostering optimism that they can go even further this season. Despite grappling with a lengthy injury list at times, the Blues are in a much stronger position now at 9-4, including victories in their last three games.
They are set to resume their campaign on Friday night with a crucial clash against Geelong at the MCG.
“This is where the top teams really start to excel, building on their season-long training efforts,” remarked Sam Walsh on Tuesday. “Our training intensity has been a good indicator. We’ve been able to reset… We understood the importance of this period last year, and it’s no different this time.”
“I’ve been encouraged this year by our commitment to defining our identity after each game and then working hard to improve upon it,” Walsh continued. “I feel we’re maturing and understanding the need for consistent performance every week to earn respect in this competition.”
Walsh, who overcame a back injury earlier in the season, has seamlessly returned to form since round five. Despite his quieter performance in the pre-bye win over Essendon, Carlton’s midfield was buoyed by Alex Cincotta’s exceptional tagging of Bombers’ captain Zach Merrett.
“Alex has been exceptional,” Walsh praised. “His training ethic is evident in his match performances. He has added a crucial dimension to our midfield this season.”
Cincotta may face the challenge of marking Geelong’s captain Patrick Dangerfield, who is poised to return from hamstring issues.
Recently, Walsh and teammate Mitch McGovern engaged with Coburg Primary School to promote the Carlton Respects program, highlighting their commitment to combating domestic violence within the community.
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