Brisbane coach Michael Voss has tipped Carlton for the AFL’s top four, which he says makes it ideal facing the Blues in the pre-season final.
Voss has also accused the AFL of insulting Queensland fans with their reasoning for staging Friday night’s game at Etihad Stadium.
And he and Blues coach Mick Malthouse have made it clear they don’t like being constrained by the interchange cap, while other clubs playing practice matches this weekend aren’t.
Voss said the Blues were much better than their 10th placing under Brett Ratten last season suggested.
“I rate them a top-four side in the competition,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“I know they had some things happen last year but they’re a very good football team.
“Where they probably finished as opposed to their capacity wasn’t quite where you’d expect.”
He said Brisbane’s youngsters in particular would benefit from facing high-class opposition in front of a good crowd, with a trophy on the line.
Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown said in that sense, it would mean more to Brisbane than Carlton.
“They get to play a lot of blockbusters during the season, no matter how they’re going,” the veteran forward said.
“For us, we don’t get a hell of a lot of blockbusters and, even though it is pre-season, it is a big game with a big build-up.
“It will probably be the biggest crowd a lot of the younger players have played in front of.”
Malthouse said how his players performed on such an occasion could book them home-and-away berths.
“This is a big stage, in a grand final, regardless of whether it be NAB Cup or any other cup,” he said.
“This is important … we want to win, Michael’s team want to win.”
But Malthouse, an interchange cap critic, wasn’t happy that, unlike 12 other clubs, the Blues and Lions don’t get a chance to prepare without it.
“We are bound by 80 rotations on fulltime and the others aren’t. I don’t think we need to say any more,” he said.
Voss was philosophical.
“We want to be able to play under certain conditions to give ourselves the best chance. We don’t have those. It is what it is,” he said.
He was more blunt on AFL suggestions that if the game was played on the Gold Coast, it mightn’t have drawn many more than 5000 fans.
“I think it’s a bit of an insult to Queensland fans to suggest that only 5000 would turn up,” Voss said.
24vbs
Guest
Sorry meant lions by 40 top 8 at least
Macca
Guest
True he is, I missed that when I read through the side. I assume he is only being rested. You are right it is about making a good enough contest to ensure the spoil is only partially effective, should be a good tussle.
TomC
Roar Guru
Casboult will need to be aware of getting the ball front and centre to give the crumbing forwards the best chance. I thought Garlett was missing tonight?
Macca
Guest
It will be a good test for your midfield, the blues putting in their best midfield group. If the Lions can come out on top Against Judd, Murphy, Gibbs, Carrazzo McLean et el without Black and Leuenberger then they should be very pleased about how their season is shaping up.
Macca
Guest
TOmC - It will be a good test for Casboult against Merrett but for me as long as he makes Merrett spoil, not take the mark, and bring Bett's, Garlett, Armfiled, Lucas & Robinson in then he has done his job. I think the small forwards will really appreciate having a focal point to crumb off.
TomC
Roar Guru
Carlton will win. Pretty comfortably I expect. Might be tight for a half or so. Spotlight will be on both team's forwardlines, I reckon. Blues fans are pretty excited about Casboult, and he'll be one of the few genuine tall targets for the Blues tonight, up against one of the best full-backs in the country in Daniel Merrett. For the Lions, they'll want Aaron Cornelius and Rohan Bewick to continue their good form. Got to love Vossy for saying the Blues are a 'top four team'. Next week he'll be talking up round one opponents Western Bulldogs.
Bondy
Guest
Interesting to hear Voss's comments yesterday about playing this final in melbourne ,queensland would be one of afl's lesser markets or other sports have a more favoured presence there,though the afl in their wisdon have decided to take this game "back" to victoria the sport needs a greater penertration point than to just simply play every featured game in melbourne,the new tv commercial again throws light on some form of connection to the rest of the world though you go and take the game back to victoria. They place a team in the western suburbs of sydney where Sheedy is less than a house hold name and still afl has no major presence in tasmania,afl appears to be confused or it doesnt know the direction of the sport and its future..
Melbourne is the New Adelaide
Guest
I think Carlton will also want to lose as winning it will result in them coming bottom at the end of the year.
24vbs
Guest
Lions by 30. I think our midfield is ready to take the next step. Defence is solid with suace head and foward line looks a lot better Browny just needs to cameo this year. Plus no one rates us down there lol