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Carlton desperate to maintain AFL rage

3 minute read

Carlton are coming off a "signature win" but defender Nic Newman says the Blues are not getting ahead of themselves as they search to end a long finals drought.

MICHAEL VOSS.
MICHAEL VOSS. Picture: Michael Willson/via Getty Images

Carlton are not resting on their laurels after a season-best AFL performance as they push to end their nine-year finals drought.

Praise has been thrown the Blues' way after they demolished fellow top-four contender Fremantle on Saturday in what coach Michael Voss described as a "signature win".

At 10-4, the Blues are surging towards their first finals appearance since 2013.

Defender Nic Newman said Carlton were "very pleased" with how they dismantled the Dockers but know they have to keep playing with the same ferocity.

The Blues have just six days to prepare for Friday night's match against a desperate St Kilda, who are coming off three-straight losses.

"As Vossy said, it was probably one of our best performances of the year and we were very happy with how we played and the consistency over the four quarters," Newman said.

"It was our best game as a group against some really quality opposition in Freo and an important win.

"While we're really pleased, we've got to move on pretty quick, because Friday night will come around really quickly and the Saints will be raring to go."

Key defender Jacob Weitering (shoulder) and midfielder Adam Cerra (hamstring) are pushing to return from injury against the Saints.

Cerra is expected to train fully this week and faces a fitness test, but Weitering is considered unlikely and has more of a chance to play against West Coast in round 17.

Jack Martin and Matt Owies (both calf) are both listed as tests this week.

"I don't know what the number is, but is seems like we've been rolling through 35 or 40 players ... it goes to show how strong our list is," Blues midfielder George Hewett said.

"Some players like Kempy (Brodie Kemp) on the weekend - he's a bit undersized but he played his role fantastically."

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