Done deal: The Blues have sign another familiar face to the team…

Orazio Fantasia details his close relationship with new coach, Michael Voss.

NEW Blue Orazio Fantasia has made it clear who has a say in the decision to call IKON Park their home.
Recruited as a delisted free agent on the second day of the transfer window, Fantasia’s talent is no longer a secret to the football world, having scored 141 goals in 99 matches at Essendon and Port Adelaide.
It was at Alberton that Fantasia met Michael Voss, forming an instant bond with the man he calls his senior AFL coach.
Speaking to SEN following his move to the Blues, Fantasia said it was the conversation initiated by Voss that got the ball rolling.

“He was in port when I was there and we got along really well.
We kept in touch and at the end of that season, he called me and said, “What are you doing?
Let’s discuss it.
We sat down and went from there,” Fantasia said.
“It’s the connection and relationship he can create with his players.
You would’ve seen it last year, the passion they showed, especially through the finals — they’re playing for him and he can really connect with them.
“That’s what I had with him, a great relationship.
The empathy he showed towards me, we’d catch up for coffee, I gave him some pasta sauce as well.
He loved that!

What Voss assures is that Fantasia has no illusions: , there is only one place there if he is worthy.
Understanding that there will be no place on offer in this Carlton team, Fantasia said he is not only enjoying the challenge ahead but also the opportunity to work with some of the Blues’ new strikers.
“That was our conversation.
He said: ‘You don’t come straight away, you have to earn your place.
‘ There are no guarantees, and I understand that,” he said.

“I’m not walking into the team thinking I’m going to play straight away. I just want to train well, get to know the boys and put my best foot forward. A lot of those small forwards are young and only around 21-22 years old, so I feel like I can help them grow as well.”

And while it’s been a difficult past two years for him, count out the excitement machine at your own peril.

“The last three years were challenging, but I’ve definitely grown as a person. I’ve been chasing my tail, but I played the last five SANFL games in a row, and I’ll go into this pre-season ready to go from day one,” he said.

“I’m only 28, I’m not past it yet. I’ve got great confidence that I can still play my game