Michael Voss knows the game has changed but still expects his Carlton side to cop some heavy treatment from the Brisbane Lions in their Gabba preliminary final.
Brisbane's three-time premiership captain returns as Blues coach on Saturday, 20 years after the host's last flag and 10 since he was axed as their coach.
Carlton have won 11 of 12 games to reach the penultimate week of the season, veteran Sam Docherty (shoulder) playing through injury in last week's high voltage defeat of Melbourne.
Two decades ago Voss' Lions were happy to target any vulnerabilities in their opposition and the coach expects similar from his old side this weekend.
"There's always space for some of it," he said ahead of the Blues' first preliminary final since 2000.
"I don't know how much you'd get away with ... the game's changed a bit.
"They can if they want. It's up to them but it won't really matter because he's (Docherty) fine.
"He's completely healthy and ready to go.
"I can't stress it enough. I know there's been a focus on a couple of injuries that we've had … we're putting a pretty fit team out there and a team that's in form.
"We expect the very best of us."
Lions coach Chris Fagan dismissed the prospect though.
"I spend more time working out how we're going to win clearances and move the ball from the backline than I do going after boys that might be a little bit sore," he said.
"You're focusing on the wrong thing if you do that."
Brisbane have won all 11 Gabba clashes this season, Jack Payne (ankle) out for Darcy Gardiner in the only change from the side that beat Port Adelaide two weeks ago.
The Blues welcome back Harry McKay (concussion) and Jack Martin (suspended) while Voss has promoted Jordan Boyd and Ollie Hollands.
David Cuningham, Matthew Owies, Brodie Kemp and Matthew Kennedy the unlucky quartet to miss.
