Without a doubt, being at the ground on Saturday night to witness a game such as the one played at Marvel Stadium was breathtaking. That, over the course of the hours following the final siren, proves a point that I had been trying to make for some time, which was clarified by Josh Fraser. But I’ll get to that later.
Since Fraser has taken over as coach, we have witnessed a group of players who have been allowed to play the game; not only in a style that is a depiction of what the modern game is all about but also about the ability to focus on one game at a time. One match, not getting ahead of possibilities, but focusing on what is being played now. This mindset has been essential in allowing players, some of whom are in their first season as AFL players, to grow, develop, and become more experienced without the added pressure of season expectations. This has enabled each individual to become a better player and better teammate in a way that the Carlton FC has not seen for a while. It has allowed the team to become what will make them more successful in the future – a dynamic and feared team.
It will be a team where there are no egos, no unwillingness to take on any role or position to ensure success. This is so prominent and not more noticeable than in the way that Harry McKay has been able to be not only a force in the forward line, but in the centre and in the backline. This has shown in the way the team commiserate and celebrate together. Allowing mistakes to happen and learning from them.
Watching the game since Fraser took over, the massive mindset shift, and therefore game shift, from the team is exponential. It has encompassed everything that will make a club, any club, successful. The egos have gone from the team, where an all-encompassing team mentality has replaced the notion of a few players being pivotal in winning. As Fraser said in his press conference, it means that the magnificence of our 250-gamer Patrick Cripps does not have to bear the weight of success on his shoulders. It means that every single person that runs on to the field can and does have a pivotal role in garnishing success.
The modern game is not about a few but about the whole team doing whatever they can to win. There were standouts for sure, but not one of them pumped their ego, prancing around as if they alone are the reason for winning. Every player is willing to be part of a cog that together makes the machinations of a team work.
Point being, and one of the best moments of the game, was Harry Dean down back, then being in the right place at the right time down forward and scoring a goal. The stadium shook as every Carlton supporter stood and cheered, and every Brisbane supporter wondered what the hell was going on. Then he moves down back again and manages to keep potential opposition forwards ineffective.
It is seeing how confident and thriving in their ability to play stunning senior AFL games are those players who, for the first time, are playing their first season in the AFL. It is seeing how the players joining from other clubs are becoming the players that their other clubs did not see much in.
For the first time in a long time, the team are playing in a way that they are not only playing as a team, with no egos, but enjoying playing together. You can see it when Mathew Cotterell scores a goal and the way he celebrates with the team. You can see it when your lead backman scores a goal and the way the team celebrates together. You can see it when a ruckman pivots down forward to take a mark and score a goal. You can see it when a player, a season player such as Mitch McGovern, seizes a moment with composure and scores an unlikely goal. You can see it when a future captain of the club wins a well-deserved Robert Walls Medal, Jagga Smith and says, let’s keep building.
What has transpired since Michael Voss left is a complete 360-degree mind shift and therefore a game shift. No one expected Carlton to win against the reigning Premiers, and no one expected to blow them out of the water the way they did.
In season 2026, Carlton have been front-page news for the wrong reasons, as they have in the past. Right now, they are front-page news for the right reasons, and it is one that the club is seeing will only get better in the way that they are handling the decision of who should take the reins after this season. What has been lacking in the club is that one person with calm, thoughtful, logical and practicable plans to take what is a damn talented group of individuals to the next level. It takes someone with no ego, no thought about themselves, but about the group as a whole, from the coaches, to the runners, to the medical team, to the players. It takes a team to build a successful team.
Whether the club makes it to the Knock-out Round or not, in season 2026, Carlton has shown that with the right person at the helm, 2027 will be the start of a club that has been much maligned, but is now a force to be feared. I have always believed this and always will. My voice is still husky and weak from the game, but I’m loving every whisper!
#GOBLUES!
All photos courtesy of AFL
SPORTZ 