CARLTON fullback Michael Jamison says the Blues' flexible defence is now better placed to cope if the Sydney Swans load their attack with tall forwards in Saturday night's semi-final.
The Swans lined up with Kurt Tippett, Jesse White and Mike Pyke in attack against Hawthorn in last Friday night's qualifying final.
While the tall timber failed to fire against the Hawks, they could add Adam Goodes to the mix at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, with the dual Brownlow medallist hoping to return from a long-term knee injury for the sudden-death clash.
Jamison said the Blues had been targeted in that area by opposition clubs before.
But having had his first uninterrupted season in three years and with Lachie Henderson in good form in defence and Jarrad Waite having spent time there this season, Jamison said Carlton was now well placed to handle talls.
"Teams have tended to do that against us in the past," Jamison said.
"But having Lachie and Waitey now that can play back certainly gives us that flexibility to be able to match that.
"If they did that we'd be pretty confident we can counter it."
Even with Waite and Henderson having also spent large parts of the season in attack, Jamison said Carlton's defence had a settled feel, with himself, Andrew Walker, Kade Simpson and Zach Tuohy having spent pretty much all year together.
He said that mix of players gave the Blues confidence they could handle whatever attacking mix the Swans brought on Saturday.
Simpson had previously played more as a wingman or half-forward, but has had an excellent year as a defensive rebounder.
He'll play his 200th game on Saturday night and Jamison hoped the milestone meant Simpson would get the recognition those inside the club believe he deserves.
"He's I guess that spiritual leader that you hear about throughout clubs," Jamison said.
"I think he's starting to get some recognition now Simmo, but I still think he's really under-rated throughout the competition.
"I didn't realise it was his 200th, so that probably says something, he doesn't really like to boast about those sort of things, but it's a great reward for him."
