Caretaker coach David Teague says Carlton’s rousing win over Brisbane will give players a confidence boost

There were emotional scenes in the rooms and the stands as Carlton players and long-suffering fans sang the Blues’ theme song with gusto following their upset victory.

It was one of the most stirring renditions of Carlton’s theme song in recent seasons, which was hardly surprising given the club had won only four of its past 43 games.

But this time it wasn’t just coming from the victorious players, who admittedly belted a vintage version after upsetting finals aspirants Brisbane.

The long-suffering fans were singing, too.

A few were even crying in the stands as they cleared their throats for We Are The Navy Blues at fever pitch.

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In many ways, it was the perfect end to a messy week, in which coach Brendon Bolton was sacked at the start of it, and caretaker coach David Teague ended it by freeing up his players, to help bring about the Blues’ second win of an otherwise miserable season.

Injured co-captain Sam Docherty could sense as soon as he got into the rooms that this was a significant moment for the bottom-of-the-ladder Blues.

“It was massive … It’s not just the players; it’s the fans who have stuck with us for so long. It’s the board members and the staff,” Docherty said.

“This one meant a lot. They are huge weeks in footy clubs when a coach is moved on and the emotional toll it takes on everyone in terms of making the decision and pulling the trigger (is also huge).

“It is unfortunate for Bolts. He hasn’t got his job any more, and we are thinking of him. But as a footy club, we had to get back on the horse.”

Interim coach David Teague sings the club song with his players after Carlton’s win. Picture: Michael Klein

Teague said his side’s best footy will be “really hard to beat” after the Blues showed a new-found attacking flair that saw them finish with 17 more inside 50s and 87 more disposals.

“Hopefully this instils some belief. I said to them all week that I believed in them and I believe in the list we have; I just needed them to bring their strengths and we saw that today,” Teague said.

“The energy in the crowd when we started to get going. At one stage I took a moment and I just felt it.

“I was like, ‘When we really get going — and I believe this group will — it’s going to be exciting times.”

Charlie Curnow, who booted three goals, was one of the beneficiaries of the attacking style Teague had promised.

“That was unreal,” Curnow said. “We wanted our mids to back themselves in. They took the game on and that’s all you can ask of them.”

Teague gets mobbed by his players after the win. Picture: Michael Klein

The Blues started brightly, but a constant stream of turnovers saw them punished by a clinical Lions unit before the turnaround.

“Their resilience to keep playing the way we wanted them to play, I’m really proud of that,” Teague said.

“Early on it didn’t look great. We were making errors and it was what I asked of them, it was my fault. I was worried about them going too aggressive, but to their credit, halfway through the second they composed themselves out there.

“I think our best footy is going to be really hard to beat. I’m confident in our playing group, that if they bring their best it’s going to take a really good team to beat us.”

Skipper Patrick Cripps produced one of the finest individual games of the season, kicking four second-half goals and finishing with 38 disposals and eight clearances.

“Today he went back to just being the best footballer he can be. Sometimes as a captain you take the burden of the team performance,” Teague said.

“I challenged him today just to be the best footballer he can be and if leads from the front with his football everything will take care of itself.”

It was a message delivered to every player.

“It was about bringing their strengths and I wanted to make sure that when they left the change rooms they knew we believed in them and we talked about what their strengths are and what they’re going to bring,” Teague said.

“They backed themselves in, we took some risks and we got some wrong — we got a lot wrong early — but they got more comfortable to keep going for it and then they started to execute and when they start executing I think we can become a really dangerous side.”

Dale Thomas celebrates the win with Blues fans. Picture: Getty Images

Teague said he “loved every minute” of his coaching debut.

As the Blues cast the net for their next senior coach, Teague said it was a job he aspired to.

“I do harbour desires to be a senior coach, but when is probably the question,” he said.

“What I do have right now is an opportunity to learn and at the end of the year, whether I’m ready or there’s areas for me to grow, I get the chance.

“I’ve got 12 weeks to find out where I’m at and I’m excited by it.”

President Mark LoGiudice was one of the first to greet the players as they streamed into the rooms.

Chris Judd, board member and one of the men who will help choose the next coach, was on hand, speaking with players, as well as sharing a hug with Dale Thomas, who was back after his week’s penance in the VFL.

Docherty said Teague would not deviate from his attacking game style.

Originally published as Caretaker coach David Teague says Carlton’s rousing win over Brisbane will give players a confidence boost