‘Throwing his weight around’: Blues duo separated by teammates

Two Carlton teammates had to be separated after almost coming to blows during a fiery training session ahead of finals on Saturday.

Matthew Kennedy and Marc Pittonet had to be separated by teammates. Picture: Quinn Rooney

Two Carlton teammates had to be separated after almost coming to blows during a fiery training session at IKON Park on Saturday.

Marc Pittonet and Matt Kennedy went toe-to-toe in a big session, after the big ruck was knocked to the turf.

But skipper Patrick Cripps, one of the players who came in to break up the scuffle, played down the moment as simply “training the way we want to play”.

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“When Pitto is at his best, he’s a big boy throwing his weight around and being aggressive,” he explained.

“I think our brand is that physicality, and making opposition feel us – he leads the way in that.

“The big boys do that, the rest of us sort of fold in behind.

“There’s a few big dogs there – we always talk about our big boys playing with a presence.

“We had a fair crack out there today, the boys are revved up ready to go.

“Training sets us up for our game.”

Marc Pittonet hit the deck and immediately went back at teammate Matt Kennedy. Picture: Quinn Rooney

Matthew Kennedy and Marc Pittonet went toe-to-toe. Picture: Quinn Rooney

Teammates had to separate Marc Pittonet and Matthew Kennedy. Picture: Michael Klein

Cripps – playing in his first finals since his under-14s days – said there was a “buzz” around the Blues ahead of their elimination final against the Swans at the MCG next Friday.

“The boys are excited – it was an important session for us today. It was a pretty solid hitout,” he said.

“It’s all new for a lot of us so we’re just embracing it.

“When the weather’s like this, you know it feels like finals.

“It’s one thing making it – now we want to impact it.

“We know our best footy stacks up. We’ll be having a red hot crack.

“I feel like in my mind, I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.

“As long as we go with the right mindset, play that physicality… we’ll back ourselves against anyone.”

Carlton’s Blake Acres was still restricted at training after suffering a shoulder injury in the last round match against GWS.

But Cripps remains “pretty bullish” Acres can get up for the elimination final, given scans cleared the star of any fracture.

Originally published as ‘Throwing his weight around’: Blues duo separated by teammates