It’s time for Carlton to shift the narrative as Blues put under pressure to play finals football

The Blues have tried to tell us their season won’t be a failure should they miss the finals again, but they should be wary of the message they’re sending to their fans, writes Scott Gullan.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 05: Blues head coach Michael Voss speaks to his player during the round eight AFL match between Carlton Blues and Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium, on May 05, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Carlton is veering into dangerous territory with its long-suffering fans.

While we understand the narrative around building to something and how the focus of the players is on week to week improvement, starting to hedge your bets about finals this year is like playing with matches at a petrol station.

Midfielder Adam Cerra followed CEO Brian Cook‘s lead in the wake of Friday night’s disappointing loss to Brisbane, going down the road that the season isn’t a failure if for the 11th successive year the Blues didn’t take part in September.

“Every day we’re just trying to get better and progress. If we’re improving from last year as a team, not just ladder position but that connection within the group and what we’re building towards, I don’t see it as a failure,“ Cerra said on Monday.

Adam Cerra in action. Picture: Getty Images

“It might be this year, it might be next year, but we want to get there as soon as possible.”

Maaaaaaattttttttteeeee. Please stop.

Again we understand what Cerra is trying to do and captain Patrick Cripps was pushing that line at the start of the season also but boys, circumstances have changed, some fighting words are required.

The supporters aren’t dills. Last year they copped being in the eight at the completion of every round but the one that mattered – round 23.

As embarrassing as it was to lose the last four games of the season, it was Michael Voss’ first year as coach and there were plenty of positives including Cripps winning the Brownlow Medal and Charlie Curnow the Coleman Medal.

So understandably the expectation radar went up immediately. And it wasn‘t just Blues fans, opposition clubs were having nightmares thinking about how they would combat Curnow and the 2021 Coleman Medallist Harry McKay.

Now after eight rounds it‘s obvious the seeds of doubt are sprouting like wildfire inside Ikon Park.

That “connection as a group” which Cerra was talking about as part of his end-of-year assessment must be clearly a big fat F for failure at the moment.

Carlton have suddenly forgotten how to move the ball or more to the point, opposition teams have done their homework and can easily shut them down.

Michael Voss and his Blues are under the pump. Picture: Getty Images

For two quarters on Friday night they only kicked one goal under the roof at Marvel Stadium against the Lions. Remember, that‘s with a one-two punch key forward combination that is only shaded by reigning premier Geelong.

Cerra went on to say the players were as frustrated as supporters but was adamant “growth can come”.

“I think every club feels pressure to make the finals, that’s what the players want to play in and that’s what the fans want to watch,” he said.

“I’d be lying if I said no one felt pressure but it’s something that we embrace. We’re grateful for a big supporter base but we have a responsibility that comes with that.”

When Cook was asked if no finals in 2023 was a failure, he was taking a more holistic approach. The club has a good balance sheet, a big membership and is pretty darn healthy overall so the sun would still come up if there were no finals.

“I think most of our supporters would say yes. I would say if we don’t make it, it’s not the end of the world, but gee we would cop a bit of a backlash,“ Cook said.

Luckily it‘s the second week in May and Carlton is actually still in the eight.

But the narrative needs a shift. Next time a Carlton player is asked about finals, you know what supporters would love to here:

“Our aim is to make the finals, we believe we will do that, we‘re working hard towards doing it and we will continue to focus on that. Anything else is irrelevant.”