Ross Lyon says Carlton will run over the top of Fremantle if the side doesn’t bring its absolute best football to Patersons Stadium on Thursday night.
Freo will be looking to bounce back after a hefty defeat at the hands of bottom placed St Kilda in round 18, a result Lyon said was predicated on work rate.
The senior coach warned that the 13th-placed Blues were loaded with quality all over the field and were playing good footy, including a strong win over finals aspirant North Melbourne last round.
“They’ve got three tall forwards, obviously (Jarrad) Waite’s in good form, (Levi) Casboult and (Lachie) Henderson,” Lyon said.
“(Chris) Judd, (Marc) Murphy and (Bryce) Gibbs are up and about and (Andrew) Carrazzo might return.
(Ed) Curnow is a really good run-with player and they get a lot of bounce out the back with (Sam) Docherty, (Kade) Simpson, and (Chris)Yarran is playing really good footy and they’ve got (Zac) Tuohey and (Michael) Jamison.”
Carlton senior coach Mick Malthouse has stated that his side’s best has been good against quality teams this season, and Lyon agreed with him.
“Mick knows Subiaco really well, so we’re preparing for a fierce battle, it’s a really important game,” Lyon said.
The message from the senior coach ahead of Thursday night’s game was the same as it was for every game.
He said if Freo was even slightly down on its game, it would face defeat.
“Their (Carlton) best is very, very good, and at elite level sport you don’t have to be off much to lose,” Lyon said.
“If you’re down on your best by one or two per cent, you’re going to get beat, so we’re going to have to play at our very, very best to get over the top.
“If we relent, they’ll come over the top of us.”
Lyon added he wouldn’t be doing anything to inspire his players after the poor outing against the Saints.
“I never motivate players,” he said.
“I certainly guide them and hold them to account to the standards that are required, but our group is a really self-directed, motivated group and I’m just there to check them and realign them on what they stand for and how they go about their footy.”
