DEFENSIVE SKILLS coach Mitch Hahn says the Lions must focus on identified key areas of improvement if they are to limit the impact of Carlton’s experienced midfield, as the Club prepares to take on the Blues at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Chris Judd (31) is in his 14th season, but the dual Brownlow medallist continues to maintain a high standard and has been among Carlton's best in his four games in 2015, along with Blues captain Marc Murphy (27). While Kade Simpson (31) and Andrew Walker (28) can provide run off half back.
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“Their midfield drive – obviously with Judd and Murphy, those guys in there, it’s going to be important to be able to neutralise them. For us, I think, this week, it’s more about concentrating on us and making sure we perform the roles we set ourselves.
“We’ll probably go into the game with two main focuses, one being contested possession – we haven’t been able to win that all year, which is really important, and the other one will be our tackle count.
“Those two stats are something we’ll drive into the boys this week, certainly if we think we can get those two stats and get the green ledger on that, then at least we’re going to be very competitive.”
“That will be the key message to focus on us. There’s going to be opportunities over the game where Carlton may get on top but I think it’s important that we stick to our structures and stick to that effort,” Hahn said.
“This week we’ve really got to show our supporters and the footy world that we really care about this game – and that’s what we’ll be concentrating on.”
