After a playing career that reached football’s pinnacle on two occasions, John Worsfold entered the world of coaching, albeit after a brief sidestep in to pharmacy. 

Princes Park was the launching pad for a career that would again see Worsfold reach the summit of the football world.

At Carlton he honed his coaching craft and also learnt of an age-old rivalry.

He remembers the mood of Stephen Kernahan – a Carlton legend and former President – changing in the week leading up to games against Essendon.

Articles were pinned on clubroom walls.  This game meant a lot. 

And it still does.

This Sunday, Worsfold leads the Bombers into battle with a Carlton outfit with renewed confidence following a win in the west.

A confidence laden Blues line-up is exactly the sort of team Worsfold wants his players to test themselves against.

“I don’t ever want to play a game of footy thinking we won that because the opposition weren’t ready for us or they were not switched on,” Worsfold said.

“We want to take on, like Collingwood were on the weekend coming out, backs to the wall, and see how good we are against that.

“We’re ready to take on Carlton knowing that no club wants to take us lightly… that’s great, come out and throw everything at us.

“We want to match up to that.”

Worsfold said Nathan Grima, Jonathan Simpkin and Ryan Crowley would all be considered at the selection table this week.

The Bombers are looking to rebound after a disappointing showing on Anzac Day.

“We want to compete unbelievably hard week in, week out for the remaining games that we’re involved in this year,” Worsfold said. 

“I was really disappointed with our first half on Anzac Day – not only for the players and us – but for our fans and everyone who turned up at the game looking forward to celebrating Anzac Day with a great contest.

“The aim is now that we don’t think that it’s a long tough year, let’s go through the motions….no way.”