Swans expect fired-up Carlton

Sydney AFL star Ben McGlynn expects to face a Carlton side on Friday fired up by the events of a turbulent week.

Sydney utility Ben McGlynn

Sydney star Ben McGlynn expects to face a fired-up Carlton side on Friday after a turbulent week. (AAP)

Sydney star Ben McGlynn expects to confront a fired-up Carlton on Friday night after one of the most turbulent weeks in the Blues' proud AFL history.

The bottom-of-the-ladder Blues sacked veteran coach Mick Malthouse on Tuesday, with John Barker appointed as interim coach for the remainder of the 2015 campaign.

Barker's first assignment could hardly be more difficult, with the Blues travelling to the SCG to take on a Sydney side buoyed by a dramatic win over reigning premiers Hawthorn.

"We know that Carlton are going to come out firing after the week they've had, so we're looking forward to that," McGlynn said on Wednesday.

"I guess that there's probably a bit of weight off their shoulders with what's happened around the week.

"They might come out and have a different game-plan, we're not too sure.

"The personnel hasn't changed so we'll prepare for what we think they will bring."

Swans assistant coach Stuart Dew is among those considered a candidate for the Carlton job and McGlynn thinks his former Hawthorn colleague is ready to handle a head coaching position.

"'Dewy' has been around for a while now in the system and he's a terrific coach," McGlynn said.

"He's got a good balance between being very easy to talk to and he's a mate of mine from Hawthorn as well.

"He's definitely got all the right tools to be a good senior coach in the future."

McGlynn, who makes his 150th AFL appearance on Friday, is relishing the run-with roles on top players he has been given in recent weeks.

He contained Geelong captain Joel Selwood and initially locked down Sam Mitchell last week, although the Hawks champion got the better of him as the game wore on.

Listed at 172cm and 76kg, McGlynn concedes height and weight to most opponents, but showed against Hawthorn he was more than capable of handling the physical push and shove of the contest.

"I'm not an angry ant, but I just like the competitive side of the game and you've just got to do what you can to win," McGlynn said.

The utility said he had got his fitness back up after being overlooked for three early season games following an injury-interrupted pre-season.


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Source: AAP


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