Beleaguered Blues feel fans’ pain: Acres

Shayne Hope | June 9, 2023

Blake Acres senses Carlton’s players are carrying the weight of an “upset and frustrated” supporter base as they attempt to resurrect their crumbling AFL season.

The 27-year-old former St Kilda and Fremantle wingman has been taken aback by the intense spotlight on the Blues since his trade move last October.

There has been a torrent of criticism aimed at the traditional powerhouse amid a horror run of seven losses in eight games, during which fans have booed the team off the ground multiple times.

Acres conceded the Blues have not lived up to expectations this season but backed coach Michael Voss and the playing group to turn the club’s fortunes around as they seek to end 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 told reporters on Friday.

“But as a group we’ve really come together the last few weeks.

“I know we haven’t got the results but we’ve spoken about coming together as a group and controlling what we can control.”

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 “pretty 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 game day and during the week,” Acres said. 

“Things we can do better and opportunities we have going into 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 got some good players and some experienced guys we’re going to 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 didn’t realise how big Carlton was until the season really started,” the West Perth product said.

“In games I get a bit distracted with that sort of thing, and during 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.”