Carlton’s leadership core is sick of not winning games of footy, says Andrew Russell

The rest of the competition has been warned. This is a new Carlton in 2020, with the Blues’ head of performance saying a desire to win has helped drive an across-the-board improvement in training standards.

Patrick Cripps leading the way at Carlton training. Picture: AAP Images

Carlton’s leadership core is “sick of not winning games of footy” and has helped drive an across-the-board improvement in training standards and skills, according to the Blues’ head of performance Andrew Russell.

The Blues take on Melbourne in Round 2 on June 13 with Russell saying the club currently has a list of around 40 fit players to choose from.

He said the direction set by co-captains Sam Docherty and Patrick Cripps as well as fellow leadership group members Marc Murphy, Ed Curnow, Jacob Weitering, Sam Walsh and Liam Jones had been significant.

‘These are guys who are so passionate, they are sick of not winning games of footy and they are pretty passionate about changing that,’ Russell told Fox Footy Live.

Patrick Cripps leading the way at Carlton training. Picture: Michael Klein

The Blues believe the professionalism of the group has ramped up.

“Their intent and quality of training has gone up by five or 10 per cent,” he said.

“It’s quite significant how much their intensity has gone up on the training track, therefore our skills have gone up. Their motivation levels are really high.

“We are a different group, we have changed quite significantly, even from last year, and certainly from two years ago.”

Carlton had 40 players compete in match simulation on Friday and it means coach David Teague will have a good list choose from to take on the Demons.

Russell couldn’t have been happier with the way the Blues had returned from their period away from the club during the coronavirus shutdown.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years and this has probably been the most unique situation I have come across,” he said.

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“You had to take a bit of a punt, (because) none of us knew how long it (the shutdown) was going to go.

“I have been so impressed with the boys with the way they have come back and with the way they have trained.

“They have come back on a bit of a mission.”

Originally published as Carlton’s leadership core is sick of not winning games of footy, says Andrew Russell