Blues edging ever closer

CARLTON is a maturing club and one that is making steady progress.

Last week against Melbourne, the Blues were 40 points down and seemingly struggling in all phases of the game.

In Round 1 against Richmond, they appeared out of their depth at times, but in both matches they kept playing, adjusted to the game and remained competitive.

From the outside, Carlton appears to have had a clear vision during the past 4-5 years.

Go to the draft, identify key position players from other clubs and build a professional, hardworking environment.

Carlton has lost its first two games, but it is closer to success than most people realise.

Brendon Bolton took the Hawthorn model of game education, investment into careers, and identification of key players and staff to build his football program. He consistently played younger players and persisted with them through losing patches and close losses.

Bolton did a brilliant job of laying a foundation for a successful period.

For a senior coach, losing games by narrow margins is a test of their resilience, patience and confidence.

They are heartbreaking. But allowable if a reinforcement of a positive and growth mindset is maintained.

The reality of senior coaching is the win-loss record. Wins bring acknowledgment and praise; losses come with scrutiny and doubt.

David Teague became the Carlton senior coach in June last year. He was a respected assistant coach at the club and enjoyed a smooth transition. The team became more competitive and stayed in games for longer.

After meeting Teague and hearing his values and beliefs, I believe he demonstrates he is about building a club.

Communicating the actions and behaviours he values and doing it his way, the focus was on training intensity and player input, relationships with players, clear roles for everyone, autonomy afforded to players and staff, alignment of key people, and increased fun with less focus on the outcome.

One club with everyone on the journey.

Carlton has talent in all areas of the ground.

The talls at either end are capable in one-on-one contests and are very good at “down the line” battles.

The Blues have the bones and footy intelligence of an excellent team.

Against Richmond and Melbourne, they created a spare defender and opened up space in the middle of the ground by keeping their forward deeper.

It complemented their strengths — creative defenders who kick the ball well, mids who run hard and forwards who compete in the air.

Playing at GMHBA Stadium is another step in their journey to being the club they want to be.

They will need a quality start to build confidence and belief. Solid starts to games require stoppage connection, intensity around the ball and finding free teammates.

They have not been able to do this in 2020, which will no doubt be a focus tonight.

Geelong overwhelmed Hawthorn in the basics of the game.

Its stoppage dominance gave on-ballers first possession and created quick forward momentum early in quarters.

The Cats won disputed balls with quick outnumbering at the contest area.

A high work rate when they had the ball created attacking space. A willingness to close down space when they did not have possession made it difficult for their opponents to move the ball.

Winning well early in the season creates optimism, belief and confidence.

The key is to plan for the next challenge encompassing work rate, intensity, playing a role and hunting the opposition.

Know your opponent and respect them, but focus on the basics.

Carlton’s game style and talent will pose a challenge to Geelong.

To win, the Cats will need their tall forwards to create contests, their mids to adjust quickly to defending and their defenders to win one-on-ones.

Most expected the Cats to win last week.

Organised, professional, and uncompromising, it was great to watch them play this way.

Carlton is improving, believes in the future and attacks every game with excitement.

The team that applies most pressure through contest, defending, and a willingness to run will win.

CARLTON HAS TALENT IN ALL AREAS OF THE GROUND ... THEY HAVE THE BONES AND FOOTY INTELLIGENCE OF AN EXCELLENT TEAM.”