More than pride on the line

AN elusive top-four scalp looms as the perfect way to end a transformational season for Carlton when it takes on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

Today’s clash carries high stakes for the Cats, who could finish as high as first or as low as fourth on the ladder.

It’s also a big game for the bottom-four Blues as they look to continue the momentum they’ve built under new coach David Teague.

With six wins from 10 games under Teague, the young and talented Blues have built a strong platform for next season and beyond.

But having fallen short against West Coast and Richmond in recent weeks, the Blues would love to take down one of the competition’s powerhouses.

“We look forward to the challenge of playing against a good side,” Teague said yesterday.

“For us, it’s about getting better. We get the chance to play against a quality opposition and challenge ourselves and see how far we can go.”

Teague said star midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Patrick Cripps, who is set for a rare off-season without any planned surgery, were every chance of going head to head.

The biggest challenge for the Blues will be finding a way through the stingiest backline in the competition.

“They hold their defence really well and they’ve got a mature group down there,” he said.

“I thought our ball movement on the weekend (in a win over St Kilda) was the best it’s been. We didn’t finish our plays going inside-50 but our ability to move it from end of the field to the other was probably the best we’ve done it so far this year.”

Having secured the top job after an impressive run as caretaker coach, Teague has a big summer ahead.

The 38-year-old played a straight bat to questions about the club’s trade needs and potential coaching box changes.

“It’s in the back of your mind but to be honest, what I’ve loved is the week to week game day routine,” he said.