Carlton coach Brendon Bolton plays down the hype after the Blues sixth win of the season

CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton did his best to dismiss the hype after the Blues rose to ninth on the ladder with their sixth win from seven games.

AFL Round 11. Carlton vs. Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. Bryce Gibbs. Picture: Alex Coppel

CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton did his best to dismiss the hype after the resurgent Blues rose to ninth on the ladder with their sixth win from seven games.

The Blues converted a 0-4 start to 6-5 with a 38-point thrashing of Brisbane Lions, but Bolton repeatedly said the performance was “inconsistent” and refused to buy into finals talk.

The crowd of 30,722 was an increase of 10,449 from the corresponding game last season as Carlton moved the right side of the win-loss ledger for the first time since 2013.

Saturday’s crowd also beat the Round 4 attendance against the Western Bulldogs, which Carlton entered 0-3.

With captain Marc Murphy injured and star Bryce Gibbs contained by ex-Blue Mitch Robinson, Carlton’s next tier put the Lions to the sword at Etihad Stadium.

For the first time in their careers, former Crow Sam Kerridge recorded 30 disposals and ex-Giant Jed Lamb booted three goals as Carlton kept the Lions to just one major in the first half.

Matthew Kreuzer did not come back after the main break. Picture: Getty

The Blues lost ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (concussion) at halftime and Bolton said he would need to pass tests to play in next week’s crunch game against St Kilda.

Carlton has beaten the Saints the past four times by an average of 48 points and suddenly Sunday’s clash shapes as an even-money game with the Blues out to record their best start to a season in five years.

But Bolton said instead of September, the Blues would continue to be defined by their pressure.

“We’ve got to keep equilibrium, get a plan together and then we’ve got to bring a more consistent effort against St Kilda,” he said.

“Our aim is really clear, we want all our members — and I think there were 30,000 today which was pleasing — to feel a sense of belonging. That’s one of our season aims.

“Another aim is to be defined by our pressure. We think by and large we have been defined by pressure, a little inconsistent today however.

“Only a few weeks ago we got a fair touch up by North, so we’re still building in that phase and that’s what we’ve got to keep looking at.

“We can’t look too far ahead, the competition is too tight and strong to that.”

The Blues kicked the first six goals of the match and while Lions captain Tom Rockliff accumulated 48 disposals, only four moved the ball inside 50.

Bolton said despite the inconsistencies he was happy the Blues won the inside-50 count 50-43 and his young players showed “sprouts” of improvement.

Sam Kerridge celebrates a goal with Dennis Armfield. Picture: Getty

The Blues also kicked 100 points for consecutive weeks after failing to reach the milestone in their previous 19 games.

“After a six-day break and obviously losing Kreuz for a fair chunk of that game, it’s pleasing to get a result,” Bolton said.

“Sam Kerridge carried a fair load … I thought Zach Tuohy provided some run off halfback for us, (Sam) Docherty continues to be consistent and particularly in the second half (Jacob) Weitering started to get going.

“(Ruckman Daniel) Gorringe started to take some marks forward and Jed Lamb continues to hit the scoreboard.

“There’s little signs but I’d still describe it as inconsistent.”

Bolton said the high praise being heaped on his coaching brilliance should be diluted across his assistants.

“You can’t get too high, you can’t get too low. I would say this about coaching and I’m adamant about this — It’s about the sum of parts and it’s an ‘us’ not ‘me’ mentality in the coach’s box.

“This is about us as a club, us as a coaching team. We take wins, but I always understand it’s about the collective.”