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How a small ‘infectious’ change has helped Carlton rebound from 0-4
Nicholas Quinlan • April 19th, 2025 3:41 pm
Star midfielder Sam Walsh thinks Carlton's focus on playing more of a team game has helped shift their performance after winning two games in a row.
After starting the season 0-4, pressure was mounting at Princes Park about what the Blues could do to prevent the situation from worsening and whether coach Michael Voss would be sacked.
But, with expected wins against West Coast and North Melbourne in their last two matches, it appears that Carlton is starting to build confidence through its performances.
Walsh joined SEN’s Crunch Time team to give some insights into the approach Carlton has taken.
“The big thing was particular after the first couple of games, I think sometimes in footy, there’s a bit of a lagging effect but we probably found that we weren’t being efficient going forward,” Walsh alluded.
“You look at the game now, there’s teams kicking a lot of big scores.
“We probably at times weren’t seeing the options, so I think we preached a bit of that composure (going forward).
“When we’re playing our best, we’re running in waves and playing with a powerful brand of footy and we got back to that.
“And a lot of little things around and you peel it right back and what can you do to be a good teammate and how can you celebrate that, and that energy becomes infectious and then you’re not too worried about your own game.
“It’s amazing how you can get your own rhythm back in the team’s game and also for individuals as well.”
Lowering their eyes for forward targets has seen their efficiency inside 50 increase from an average of 37% after round four to now sitting at 43% after round six.
Earlier in the show, Adam Simpson would note that when Carlton’s is able to nail down their bread-and-butter gameplan of contest and pressure, it sees the rest of their game improve.
But emphasised that they have played bottom of the ladder sides in their last two games.
“I feel like their pillar is still contest and pressure and that’s their personnel, it’s what they're built for," Simpson said.
“And when they get it right, the other parts of the game flow.
Carlton will face off against Geelong next Sunday at the MCG.
The Blues will hope to use their form from the last two games to get their first win against a finals contending team.
