AFL
6 months ago
“Boys have turned into men”: Why Koutoufides is getting excited about Carlton
By Andrew Slevison
Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides is getting seriously excited about his former club.
The great ‘Kouta’, who has always been a staunch supporter of the Blues, is loving what Michael Voss’ side has been delivering of late.
Since the middle of last season, the Blues have been getting and better and now Koutoufides has confidence that they can truly match it with the best teams in the competition.
He believes it is a team that has emerged from boys to men who can take it up to ladder leader Sydney.
“I am getting excited,” Koutoufides said on SEN’s Sportsday WA.
“I’ve had such belief in this team for the last two years.
“This year no doubt with the pressure on the boys it was always going to be, ‘Can they handle the pressure? Or are they going to have one of those years where they just fade away?’
“They’ve been able to stand up. I feel like the boys have turned into men. They just go out there and they’re a scary unit to play (against) in this sort of form.
“I haven’t seen them play four quarters in a long time and I reckon against Geelong they actually did that. If they play four quarters of good footy, they’ll be pretty hard to beat.
“I know Sydney convincingly beat them, but it was up there and that’s when they were hit by injuries.
“A lot of players are fighting for positions now which is really exciting.”
Koutoufides, an excitement machine in his own right, is constantly taken by what dual Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow produces.
He believes the 27-year-old can still find another level, while highlighting the other key Blues who have driven the club forward in recent times.
“We’ve got some absolutely outstanding players,” he added.
“Charlie Curnow, I still feel like he’s got another level or two. I’ve been saying that for the last two years.
“Although he’s playing magnificent football and we call him ‘King Charles’, I just feel like there’s more of him to come. If he gets more ball I can only imagine what he can do.
“‘Crippa’ (Patrick Cripps) has been the most outstanding leader in a time where the club was really rock bottom and he’s been able to pull these guys through. There’s (Jacob) Weitering in defence.
“I love all the kids, but ‘TDK’ (Tom De Koning) has stood so tall. He’s come of age, finally.
“He’s had this opportunity now, and my goodness me, has he grown so much in the last few weeks.
“It’s great to see because he’s a wonderful kid.”
The Blues currently sit second on the ladder with a 10-4 record ahead of Sunday’s clash with Richmond at the MCG.
