“IT’S ALL about pressure.”

Carlton is in its role player era.

For a team which was always lauded for its individual quality on its list, it’s been no surprise to anyone involved at IKON Park that the Blues’ improvement so far - and improvement still to come - has come from players doing their job each week.

That’s across every line.

One group which always draws the praise of coaches and players alike in Navy Blue are the roles played by the team’s brigade of small and half-forwards, central to the way Michael Voss wants his side playing.

It was in the second half of 2023 where that group gave the Blues a new look in attack, and that has continued in the opening three rounds of 2024.

One of that group who has lived that role-playing mantra to a t is Lachie Fogarty, who has typically quietly been among the Blues’ best parts of their game so far this season.

Speaking to RSN, Fogarty said the way in which the Blues acknowledge the role he and his contemporaries play each and every week couldn’t be underestimated.

“It’s not the most glamorous role, but I think from both the coaches and the playing group, we’re really good at recognising the roles that those kind of guys play,” Fogarty said.

“I think it was Matthew Cottrell who was speaking about ‘people don’t come to watch high half-forwards play footy’. It is a lot of unrewarded running, getting up the ground to help defend and then you’re expected to get in the forward 50 to try and help us score. You’ve got a couple of other guys in there so Matt Owies, Corey Durdin, ‘Raz’ is there now.

“At Carlton, we do a great job of recognising those roles.”

Gone are the days where those who line up in the forward six on the ground are solely measured on scoreboard output. When asked how he looks at his game in individual reviews each week, Fogarty even said that the first two questions he asks himself are all about the defensive side of the game.

It should come as no surprise, with Fogarty ranked No.1 in the AFL so far this season for tackles inside 50 after three games. Five of those came in the amazing comeback over Brisbane in Opening Round.

And while it’s hard not to look at the clear influence the twin towers of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay provide to the Blues, those two keys simply don’t get the looks they’re getting without what’s happening by their fellow forward mates, the rest of the team and what’s happening down the ground.

“In terms of going through vision with Jordan Russell, our forward line coach, I’m always looking at my patterns. Am I connecting with the defenders? Am I helping them defend the ground? Am I getting inside 50 when we’ve won the ball? Then there’s really stretching the ground to try and open up space for others.

“It’s not all about the stats with my role. It’s the forward-50 pressure and tackles inside 50, they’re the two main things for me.

“My value is all about pressure and tackling and trying to keep the ball inside our forward 50 and forward half.”