Another loss to Carlton, but fans want to see positive signs

CARLTON has a plan. But the question that thousands of Blues supported are debating with increased passion as the losses mount is: Is it the right one?

Harry McKay kicked four goals on debut for the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

CARLTON has a plan. But the question that thousands of Blues supported are debating with increased passion as the losses mount is: Is it the right one?

Is this a Paul Keating J curve. Where the early pain soon bottoms out and the sustained success shoots gloriously into the skies.

Or have they mucked it up?

Carlton supporter Elise Langford is sure the Blues are on the right track.

She just wanted to see endeavour and signs of what’s to come in Saturday’s 10-point loss at the MCG.

“I think if the players look like they’re trying hard and if you see some of the young players, some of the talent, in patches (that’s a win),” Langford said.

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She got both of those requests.

The Blues were leading in the crucial stat of “pressure acts” early in the game and winning the tackle count.

First year star Paddy Dow had four clearances early and a score assist.

Dow’s contest with Eagle Jackson Nelson on the wing showed his smarts and strength as he stalked Nelson before he won the holding the ball decision.

Patrick Cripps is tackled by Jack Redden as he gets handball away. Picture: AAP

Late in the second term the Blues broke free down back. Jack Silvagni baulked in the centre square and hit up third-gamer Harry McKay, who kicked his first.

Just minutes later an Eagle ran into the brick wall that is Patrick Cripps.

The ball was loose and Zac Fisher picked it up and booted it long into attack. McKay took the mark deep, kicking the Blues into the lead.

Fisher kicked a beauty in the third and also laid two brilliant tackles, one deep in defence.

It’s what Langford came to see.

But just as exciting as the youth looked, they’re youth and that means mistakes. Lots of them.

Late in the first McKay had the ball on the wing with Levi Casbolt all alone inside the Blues 50, but he booted it out on the full.

In the third term with the game up for grabs, the Blues had 12 costly clangers. The last few minutes of every quarter they gave up goals.

Paddy Dow tries to rip the ball from Jack Darling. Picture: AAP

Blues fan Kate Mikkelsen said the youthful list at Carlton is an excuse.

On Saturday they were the 13th youngest side of any team playing in Round 5. They were 17th for average games played.

“I can’t remember the last time we didn’t have Gibbs, Murphy, Kreuzer, Sammy Docherty in a team, that’s your leadership, gone,” Mikkelsen said.

“They’ve just got to hang tough. I don’t see there’s a quick solution.”

Coach Brendon Bolton showed he’s flexible in his approach.

He was criticised during the week for dumping his defensive model in favour of unveiling the club’s “attacking layers”. It had resulted in four losses and an average score against of 109.5.

Against the Eagles, the Blues reverted to a defensive mindset at the first bounce. Its defenders started one-on-one, body-on-body.

It meant the game was played a lot between the arcs with little scoring, but the Blues protected the scoreboard.

“I hope they stick with Bolts, I’d be really disappointed if they don’t see his vision,” Mikkelsen said.