On Saturday morning, I was walking along the Yarra in Kew. Two men were coming in the opposite direction, one wearing a “sports” cap. As they walked nearer, I could see that the taller one had on a Carlton cap.

I was wearing one, too. As they passed, the one wearing the cap smiled and said, ‘Go Blues.’ I replied the same thing. It was then that I realized I had said, ‘Go Blues’ to none other than…Stephen Kernahan! It was then that I felt, that today would be a good day.

From the first bounce of the ball yesterday at Marvel Stadium, I knew we would be fighting hard to beat a very in-form GWS. After last week, as I had written, this match would determine where the season’s path would lead us. For the first quarter, it was back and forth. In the second quarter, it was more back. We were down nine points. At one stage, we were down 21 points. But in the third quarter, all it took was 15 minutes of sheer fight, grit, determination and a pressure that has now become synonymous with the Carlton in season 2023 and now 2024. Because that is all it took – 15 minutes!

In 15 minutes, Carlton produced some of the most scintillating footy that they have been lacking for quite some time. It was as if, for 15 minutes, the pennies started to drop. In those 15 minutes, Carlton FC showed what a team of players who were so determined to honour the guernsey they were wearing, and they were not the team from last week. And all of this on the back of having some of our major backline out from injury. Because it shows what I have stated for a long time – DEPTH!

Having depth in a playing group is paramount to being successful. It makes no difference who the team stars are and who were on Saturday because no star player can do it alone. It takes a team and it takes depth in the playing group to allow just 15 minutes of carnage! That was what happened on Saturday. Sure, there were players on the ground who really stood up, but they could not have done it alone. There were stellar performances by key players, but key players need those in the background in order for them to show what they are capable of. Crippa and Walsh both stated after the game in an interview, that sure they played well, but it takes a team to win and that was what happened on Saturday, and it took just 15 minutes.

Last week’s setback was one that I think the team needed (as I have said before); how they responded to this weekend’s match will set them up for the rest of the season. This win has been not one step but quite a few steps forward. It showed what they can be capable of even if some major players are out, and all it took was 15 minutes.

Having this depth in the playing group, allowing major players to show what they are capable of, and the team’s “not giving up” attitude will ensure their achievable success in season 2024. It took depth and 15 minutes. Great win, Carlton. Great win! Knew it was going to be a good day!

#GOBLUES!