IT’S NO surprise why Michael Voss was quick to mention Carlton’s selfless footy on the weekend if Matthew Kennedy’s comments are anything to go by.

For the Blues midfielder, there’s been a clear focus on doing exactly that in recent weeks — particularly after a time where results weren’t going their way.

Carlton has won its last two games on the trot, surpassing 100 points on both occasions, with Kennedy saying - when speaking to RSN Breakfast - that it was the team’s approach to defence and one another that was forming the foundation of their form.

Knowing that there’s still plenty of ground to make up, Kennedy said the Blues could be heartened by the way they’ve remained connected both on and off the field.

“I think we’ve maintained really good energy and a bit of bubble throughout the year, even though it was quite challenging early days with result. It hasn’t been much different,” Kennedy said.

“It does help a bit mentally, with a couple of wins to ease the pressure a bit, but the energy around the Club has been great all year.

“We’re really trying to have that selfless mindset of getting a teammate in a better position, a team-first approach.”

The premise is a simple one, but given everything surrounding the Blues in recent weeks, it’s easier said than done. 

In particular, given the run of games where the team fell short, Kennedy shed some light on how taking too much on individually was to the team’s detriment.

“We’ve got to be selfless — when things get hard, you can almost try too hard instead of doing the team things well. You almost try harder and do more yourself,” he said.

“We’ve had a big focus on trying to simplify things by focusing on the pressure and the contest, playing what you see and off instinct a bit more.

“You control what you can control, and that’s our energy and intent to get after the ball and the opposition. I’m sure when we’re challenged, the boys will have that team-first mindset and intent to get after the opposition and play for one another.”