The true testament of an organisation’s success, including a sporting club, is not just the talent and abilities of those representing it, such as players, coaches and administrators; it is more than that. It is how the person at the helm of such a club, in this case, determines the environment in which those who represent it perform not only on the field but off it.

It is the determination of the very culture of the organisation that will lead to success. It is how the participants react and find their place within the organisation that will see eventual success. The reason that I am stating this is because, on Thursday night, we saw a group come together in a way that illustrates what unity, a positive culture and being there for one another can actually achieve.

I watched the game again, feeling less stressed because I knew the outcome. I watched it more intently than live because it allowed me to see how Carlton took the game on after the third quarter in a way that shows what I have always believed the team to be capable of. I saw players not play for themselves but for the team. I saw players back each other up and support each other when needed. I saw camaraderie, encouragement and a sense of experience and maturity that has, in my view, been building since Round One.

I said at the beginning of the season, through the close wins and devastating losses, that with each game and every mistake, the players will gain more knowledge and understanding of the game than they realise. This knowledge and understanding will come to fruition, and given their intensity during a match, they will reap the rewards. It did on Thursday night.  

For most others, there was the belief that Carlton would lose against Port Adelaide, given the history and the fact that for them, they just could not see it any other way. Now, I know that I do not tip against the team, no matter what; I just can’t do it. But to win against PA, they would have to take their game to another level. If they are determined to do better than last season, they need not just to win against PA but to win by a lot.

The fact that the game was on a knife’s edge during the first half showed they were not ready to give up. In the second half, they played in a way that not only would they not give up, but they would fight for every ball, mark, tackle, and shot at a goal. They did this in a way that proves what I have always believed: Carlton is not the team they were last year; they are better. 

Sometimes, in sports, you must see the depths of despair before you can understand and act to ensure that it does not happen again. They did this on Thursday night. Moving forward, Carlton comes up against a very in-formed Essendon. If they take the same mentality against PA to the upcoming game, it will reap the rewards they have been fighting, playing and striving for.

I do believe in the club, the direction it is taking, and the culture that it is growing amongst the players, the coaches, and the administrators.  Now it is time for all, not just some, supporters to grasp that.  We must see that the team is better than last season. The coach at the club’s helm understands what it will take and how to achieve that ultimate success. I see it, and it came to the fore on Thursday night.

#GOBLUES!

All images courtesy of AFL.com