Brendon Bolton hopes Carlton’s pressure and effort will be the definition of the new Blues
CARLTON’S “gutsy” win over Geelong is what coach Brendon Bolton hopes will be the definition of the new Blues.
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CARLTON’S “gutsy” win over Geelong is what coach Brendon Bolton hopes will be the definition of the new Blues.
Pressure was a relentless factor for the rampant Carlton outfit that virtually never gave the Cats a look-in at Etihad Stadium, eventually prevailing by 19 points.
The Blues are now 5-5 and sit outside the top eight only on percentage, but Bolton wants his side to be judged on “effort and pressure” rather than win-loss — two elements they showed in spades on Sunday — as they look to build the respect of the competition.
“(The manner of victory defines us) because it’s about pressure,” he said.
“We want to be defined as a team that gives effort and pressure. You learn that over time, though.
“We’re in Round 10. That’s earned over years and Geelong have earned that over years — that sort of respect.
“We’re a very short way into a journey of earning that.”
The Blues lost skipper Marc Murphy to an ankle injury and Liam Sumner to a lower-leg complaint in the first quarter, with both players to have scans Monday.
“Significant” was Bolton’s summation of the absence, but he admitted he was impressed by the team’s effort to rally and respond with only half an interchange bench in reserve — particularly vice-captain Bryce Gibbs who starred with 34 disposals, eight tackles and two goals.
“You’ve got to shoulder more weight when you lose a key player like Murph and he did that,” Bolton said.
“His last month has been really important to us because he is a leader and people follow leaders, but what I’ve liked more importantly is that he hasn’t got satisfied with a good game.
“And he can’t, because it’s a long year.”
The win was Carlton’s first against Geelong at Etihad Stadium in 14 attempts, but despite the victory and having led almost wire-to-wire, Bolton admitted there is still a long way to go.
Brisbane awaits at Etihad Stadium next week, with attention turning almost immediately to the Lions.
“Where we’re positioned, we can’t get too high or low (in confidence),” he said.
“It just shows that if you do things on the ground that are all about the collective and ‘us’ not ‘me’ mentality, you can get results.
“We won’t shy away — there were some opportunities for us to hit the scoreboard more and we failed to do so. There’s still lots to learn. We were beaten out of the centre bounce last week and this week we were in the positive, so we’ve got a mantra of being better each week.”
Originally published as Brendon Bolton hopes Carlton’s pressure and effort will be the definition of the new Blues
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