Blake Acres senses Carlton’s gamers are carrying the burden of an “upset and frustrated” supporter base as they try and resurrect their crumbling AFL season.
The 27-year-old former St Kilda and Fremantle wingman has been greatly surprised by the extreme highlight on the Blues since his commerce transfer final October.
There has been a torrent of criticism aimed on the conventional powerhouse amid a horror run of seven losses in eight video games, throughout which followers have booed the staff off the bottom a number of instances.
Acres conceded the Blues haven’t lived as much as expectations this season however backed coach Michael Voss and the enjoying group to show the membership’s fortunes round as they search to finish a decade-long finals drought.
“A lot of our fans are upset at the way we’re going and frustrated, and you do feel that a little bit,” Acres informed reporters on Friday.
“But as a group we’ve really come together the last few weeks.
“I do know we’ve not acquired the outcomes however we have spoken about coming collectively as a bunch and controlling what we will management.”
A report on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night claimed Voss is now coaching for his career, and said factions are developing among the players.
But Acres insisted morale is “fairly good” within the group ahead of a crunch clash with Essendon on Sunday night.
“We’ve had some good chats about how guys are feeling on recreation day and in the course of the week,” Acres stated.
“Things we will do higher and alternatives we’ve got going into video games and for the season.
“We’ve really just simplified it going into this game and put all that external noise away because it is really loud at the moment.
“We’ve acquired some good gamers and a few skilled guys we’ll lean on, so we’ll get into Sunday and have a crack.”
Acres played 120 AFL games with the Saints and the Dockers before joining Carlton on a three-year deal this season.
“I did not realise how massive Carlton was till the season actually began,” the West Perth product stated.
“In video games I get a bit distracted with that type of factor, and in the course of the week.
“I just come back to what I’ve done in the past and focus on what I bring each week and try to make it really simple for myself.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
