Carlton players went from depths of despair to having new resolve to make most of finals reprieve

Carlton star Sam Walsh has opened up on the hours after his team’s round 24 defeat only to have their season saved by Port Adelaide.

Adam Saad epitomised the Carlton players after the Blues’ loss to St Kilda. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Carlton star Sam Walsh has revealed the “eerie” feeling endured by his teammates watching Port Adelaide take on Fremantle after almost giving up their spot in the finals in what was an “emotional rollercoaster” Sunday that ended with their season still alive.

The Blues left Marvel Stadium shattered after a goal in the final 12 seconds from St Kilda’s Jack Higgins put Carlton’s finals fate in the hands of Port who had to stop the Dockers in Perth.

Walsh said the Blues watched the game with teammates and their families. riding every bump before Port raced away to a 20-point victory to ensure Carlton was in the finals again.

While Walsh said the season finish wasn’t “ideal”, that they could “still find a way” to make finals would ensure they left nothing behind in Saturday week’s elimination final against Brisbane.

“Crazy. After the (St Kilda) game, we came back to the club and the amount of family, friends and the boys that were there, it was a bit of an eerie feeling watching a lot of the game,” Walsh said after confirmation his team would be in the finals for a second year running.

“To see Port get the win was great, it’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster which you don’t try and ride in footy too much.

“It hasn’t been an ideal end to the year but for us to still find a way, we’ll take getting in whatever way we can because we know that the passion the fans bring and the energy that September gives you.”

An accurate representation of how we all woke up this morning after yesterday's events 😳 pic.twitter.com/7K0DZw2GFl

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 25, 2024

It’s likely Carlton will get back key forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay as well as defender Jeremy McGovern for the clash after the finals bye.

The Gabba is familiar territory for the Blues who had their 2023 premiership campaign ended by the Lions in last year’s preliminary final despite kicking the opening five goals of the game.

That defeat was avenged somewhat with a stirring round 1 victory in Brisbane this season, a game Wash didn’t play in.

But buoyed by making the finals with so many injuries, and with the prospect of players returning, Walsh said the energy, after using the next week to refresh, could have the Blues primed to take the Lions down again.

“We’ve got the bye in the middle of the week, so it’ll give us a chance to refresh early in the week which a lot of guys will take, then we’ll get into preparation from there,” he said.

“We got a taste of finals last year and the energy it gives you, it’s a whole new ball game now.

“We’ve got some work to do going in to that game but we also know what it takes.

“I didn’t get to play the last time up there and the boys showed an incredible fight – the way that they fought back in that game, we’ve had some good battles against Brisbane so we expect nothing less.

“The year had its ups and downs. If you stick together, it’ll start to turn. I think we’ve seen that.”

Originally published as Carlton players went from depths of despair to having new resolve to make most of finals reprieve