AFL concedes Carlton’s prime-time bonanza could be bust but Blues don’t mind floundering on Friday night

CARLTON was gifted four Friday night games this season and while the contests might not live up to the prime time slot, the Blues are happy for the exposure.

THE AFL predicted Carlton on a Friday night could be a bust, but Brendon Bolton claims the high profile timeslot will benefit the club.

Carlton lost to Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night and remains without a victory from the opening three rounds.

RALPHY: AFL CAN’T JUSTIFY BLUES’ FRIDAY NIGHT BOON

CURNOW CLASS: A SHINING LIGHT ON BLUE NIGHT

There was almost 70,000 at the MCG and Channel Seven didn’t take a hit in the ratings, with the Melbourne audience peaking at 528,000 despite being up against the Commonwealth Games.

The struggling Blues have one Thursday night and four Friday night games this season because of anomalies with the calendar this year because of the timing of Easter and Anzac Day.

Bolton says his younger players are gaining experience from playing under Friday night lights.

Carlton face another struggling club, the Western Bulldogs, on the Friday night of Round 6.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan showed concern for the Blues prominent fixturing at the release of the draw saying the Blues were “vulnerable”.

But Carlton coach Brendon Bolton isn’t shying away from the spotlight.

“I think those opportunities for us are great growth opportunities,” Bolton told SEN radio.

“Playing on the big stage is the best learning. You can’t replicate that at training.

“For us, we feel that only sets us up for our future and weeks to come.”

Bolton said he wouldn’t become inpatient with his side.

“I understood in that very long process I went through two and a bit years ago what it was going to take, that was actually the attraction of going to Carlton,” he said.

“Taking something from nothing where we bottomed out to where we want to get to.

“Part of that was going to the draft and we know that takes some time, but in saying that as a coach and a playing group ... the only way to do that as quickly as you can is to hold really high standards.”