“We have to spend the energy in the right areas, and that has to be on our planning and preparation and how we connect as a footy team and keep reinforcing the environment we want to have,” he said.

“That’s what I’ve been really impressed with about the playing group is that despite some results not going exactly the way we want it, despite there being some added commentary around us, despite some things about what they think is happening versus what’s not happening, we’ve been sticking to our task and the players are getting after that challenge.

“It hasn’t all ticked over, but they’re saying staying true to it and challenging each other on it and reinforcing the things that we’re doing really well.”

Carlton have the two most recent Coleman medallists in their forward line, but their scoring power has been lacklustre, ranking 15th in attack this season.

Their powerful and ominous 8-2 start to the 2022 season was built on the back of aggressive and attacking football.

“They have to coexist [attack and defence],” Voss said. “The defensive mechanics that you want, and the territory you get on the field is clearly important. But the other side of the ball is about your efficiency and being able to finish your play so they have to live together.”

Fagan has no animosity towards Rioli, Hawks

AAP

Chris Fagan hasn’t spoken to Cyril Rioli for four years but maintains he had the “best of friendships” with the Hawthorn star while at the club.

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“I actually loved my time at the Hawthorn Football Club,” Fagan said. “I had 10 great years there, very successful years, lots and lots of friendships.

“I haven’t spoken to Cyril since probably 2019, before the Big Freeze. I got Cyril to come ... because we had a great friendship and that’s all I can say in regards to Cyril, we had the best of friendships when he was there.

“You’d have to ask him; it’s not strained from my perspective because the only interactions I’ve ever had with him have been positive.”

He said his only frustration was that he wasn’t consulted before the club’s initial investigation into claims of racism. “That doesn’t seem quite right, not talking to the people involved,” he said.

Fagan insists the AFL’s resolution sits comfortably with him and, while he waits for the complainants’ next move, won’t pursue legal action of his own.

“I still can’t and still won’t because there might be more to come,” he said of his decision not to publicly tell his version of events. “We’ll wait and see. I’m happy enough to go into any forum and talk about anything, to be honest.”

McDonald-Tipungwuti on modified fitness program

AAP

Essendon coach Brad Scott has praised Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s honest self-reflection as the goalsneak attempts to win back his spot in the Bombers’ senior side.

McDonald-Tipungwuti retired from the AFL midway through last year before making a welcome U-turn in November.

The 30-year-old is still behind the eight-ball in terms of his fitness, and he was dropped following a goalless display against West Coast in round 11.

McDonald-Tipungwuti will continue to play in the VFL while completing a modified training program, with Scott hopeful the skilful forward will push for senior selection again soon.

“Walla, by his own admission, wants to get fitter, and he’s really driving that,” Scott said on Thursday.

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“He’s really impressed me. It’s an incredible effort to get to where he is right now after so long out of the game. He was coming from so far back.

“But he, by his own admission, has said, ‘I need to get fitter’.

“He acknowledges there are other players who are in a better physical condition than he is, and he needs to get to that level to give himself the best opportunity.

“We’re not going to take him out of games, he’s still going to play in the VFL.

“But we’ll use this period to put in extra work during the week, to get him to a stage where he can come back in and play really good AFL footy.”

The sixth-placed Bombers (7-5) will aim to make it four wins on the trot when they take on struggling Carlton at the MCG on Sunday night.

With things running smoothly on the field, much attention has been placed on the futures of star Essendon duo Mason Redman and Darcy Parish, who both qualify as restricted free agents at the end of the season. Scott hopes the duo will decide to stay.

“We love Mason, we love Darcy Parish,” Scott said. “But I’m really conscious they’ve got big decisions to make individually.

“That’s the free agency landscape. I’m not going to put any pressure on them. I’m just going to try to sell the vision and show what we can build as a club.

“It’s up to them ultimately to make the decision.”

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