Carlton are already preparing for next week’s clash with AFL arch rivals Essendon, but first they have to guard against complacency when they host Greater Western Sydney.
While Carlton’s 5-4 record suggests the Blues will thrash the last-placed Giants at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, veteran coach Mick Malthouse has put his side on notice to be switched on from the first bounce.
Giants coach Kevin Sheedy said his side’s 39-point loss to premiership contenders Essendon in round six at Etihad Stadium, in which the visitors led at halftime, had given him confidence ahead of the club’s return to the venue.
“We played well at Etihad Stadium last time we were there against Essendon and I think we can go down there and play extremely well again this week,” Sheedy said.
Malthouse, 59, will be coaching against his former Richmond teammate Sheedy, 65, for a record 47th and final time before Sheedy retires at the end of the season.
“We would like to think we can avoid any thought that the result looks after itself without the effort,” Malthouse said on Friday of Carlton’s clash with the bottom side.
“It’s not a no-mercy (approach) in terms of where they are. It’s a matter of just getting it right.
“We take away from the thought process of who it’s against.
“We look at what we have to do to be a good football side.
“Our preparation is going to be no different to what it’s going to be next week against Essendon.”
Malthouse, the first-year Carlton mentor who has guided the Blues to five wins from their past six matches, says the Giants’ performance against the Bombers was fantastic.
He said four or five Carlton players were below their best in last week’s 13-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba, where the Blues kicked 13.20.
“They know. So what do you reckon their mindset is going to be like?,” he said.
“They know that two weeks like that just doesn’t equate to us being a good football side.”
Carlton have named speedster Chris Yarran on a wing and Levi Casboult ahead of fellow big man Shaun Hampson to replace injured pair Robbie Warnock and Kane Lucas.
The Giants recalled Dean Brogan, Jacob Townsend and Nathan Wilson after losing to West Coast by 100 points last week.