Walsh, Docherty can inspire Blues to finals
RETIRING greats Eddie Betts and Marc Murphy have urged the Carlton playing group to channel the professionalism of Sam Walsh and the fighting qualities of Sam Docherty in an effort to drive higher standards into the future.
Betts and Murphy believe coach Michael Voss can lead the club back to September success as soon as next year.
Betts pinpointed the work ethic and desire of 21-year-old Walsh – who won the John Nicholls Medal on Thursday – as something that should drive the younger players.
“The club has the talent; we have just got to believe in the game plan,” he said. “All the boys, just look at what Sam Walsh does week in and weekout...thestuffhedoeswith (assistantcoach)LukeyPower...it showed the way he played this year.”
Betts, who retired after his 350th game in the last round of the home and away season, had a simple message to the players.
“You can’t take things for granted,” he said. “Make sure you do everything in your power to make yourself better, to make your teammates better, to play the best footy you can, because with the click of a finger, it can all be gone.”
Murphy, who bowed out after his 300th game, said the players’ commitment to shave their heads in support of co-skipper Docherty – who is battling a recurrence of testicular cancer – showed how close they were as a group.
“You only have to … see the support they have got for their skipper who is going through a really tough time. Everyone in the footy club, not just the players, have shaved their head in support of the skipper,” he said.
He called on the players to take every opportunity to get better.
“Itisalmostamessage(to)...live in the present,” he said.
“(It should be) ‘Why can’t we do it now’, rather than thinking ‘We will be better next year’.”
Walsh said winning the club’s best and fairest was “a huge honour”.
He thanked sacked coach David Teague and former assistants John Barker and Brent Stanton for support in a difficult season.
RACE 3 HB LEESA OLIVE MAIDEN PLATE (1100m)
Il Calzino was very solid running second over the 1050m at Mackay last start, this race doesn’t look much harder and he draws to get a perfect run in transit and will be strong at the business end. Bluindi comes north to the very successful Clinton Taylor stable after some below-par form in South East Queensland; he has trialled well and will be a definite improver up this way. So Silent was good first up and may have needed the run after not being able to match Parkburn late, sure to strip fitter. I must throw Anacheeva Lad into the quaddie after winning a recent trial SELECTIONS 5 Il Calzino, 3 Bluindi, 9 So Silent, 1 Anacheeva Lad
RACE 4 OSHEN APARTMENTS 3YO HANDICAP (1200m)
I think Montana Night is a nice filly in the making, she chased bravely first up and I think she is better suited to the big open track. Don’t be surprised to see her finish right over the top of them here. How can you not seriously consider Fire King here? He is rock hard fit and knows how to perform week in, week out. Just a wide draw with the big weight are a concern for him. Attackabeel is a filly nearing a win this time in, she has been brave and with only 54kg on her back, she might outsprint them. Agustawynd is a model of consistency and finally broke through for a win last start. SELECTIONS 6 Montana Night, 1 Fire King, 2 Attackabeel, 5 Agustawynd
RACE 3 CARLY-MAE PYE CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1100m)
I am very keen on the chances of Kahaylaan, it just looks a very suitable race with everything appearing to be in his favour. Lady Lowburn has come back in very nice order, if we ignore her second-up failure at Mackay, she looks well placed here with just 54kg and Chris Whiteley to partner her. Poetic Final Say resumes here and he is a horse who has always shown a great deal of ability. He does come into this with no official trials but from a smart stable, he is sure to be ready to run a real race first up despite the horror barrier draw.
SELECTIONS 3 Kahaylaan, 9 Lady Lowburn, 6 Poetic Final Say
RACE 3 THE ROCKS OPEN HANDICAP (1400m)
How do they turn the tables on Bogey Man in this? He has been absolutely flying his last two runs and he relishes a bit of give in the track. So strong at the end of his race last start and he meets a very similar field. I think Only Wanna Sing will get a much softer lead in this; he had to work hard last start but to his credit, he fought on bravely. Indernile comes from very similar form lines to the others that we must consider in this, he just needs the right tempo on and a bit of luck. A bit of juice out of the track won’t hurt the lovely grey, Barachiel, he wasn’t far off the above three here last start. SELECTIONS 3 Bogey Man, 1 Only Wanna Sing, 8 Indernile, 2 Barachiel