Bolton not focused on mind games

Milestone man knows his role for the team

CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton is more worried about fixing team structural issues than the mindset of his players in the lead-up to a rare and daunting trip to Geelong tonight.

Bolton says his players quickly moved on from their 109-point humiliation against Melbourne, the collective belief reinforced by team leaders during meetings this week.

“I must admit they’re not totally on the canvas psychologically. They’re a really resili- ent group with strong character. They’re determined to bounce back,” Bolton said.

“Ultimately when they got on top of us we lost a fair bit of defensive shape.

“I’ve spoken a lot about defensive actions behind the ball.”

Veteran Kade Simpson and young superstar Patrick Cripps were among the key voices leading the review.

Tonight’s game marks the Blues’ first visit to the Kardinia Park precinct for premiership points since 1997.

Bolton said it presented a great opportunity for young- sters such as Paddy Dow, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Zac Fisher, David Cunningham and Lochie O’Brien to measure themselves against Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett.

Jacob Weitering returns after a spell in the VFL as a key player in Carlton’s defence to try to quell Geelong’s attack, headed by Tom Hawkins.

“In the last three or four weeks, he has been really steadfast in growing his craft in the one-on-one contests, his intercept game and now he gets another opportunity at AFL level and we think in time he will be a real lock for our key back position,” Bolton said.

On speculation that captain Marc Murphy, a free agent at the end of the season, might leave, Bolton said he was a “really valued and wanted player”.

“He has said that he loves Carlton and he will be working through that with his management and the footy club, and if I’m required to get involved I will,” Bolton said.

Eighth-placed Geelong is one of four teams locked on a 5-4 win-loss record, while lastplaced Carlton’s only win came a fortnight against Essendon, which beat Geelong last week.

Jordan Murdoch is perhaps a bit misunderstood by the football public. He understands he is a role player, and while he would gladly swap shoes with Joel Selwood or Patrick Dangerfield, he has quietly moved to 100 AFL games in a Geelong side consistently challenging for a premiership.