PUTTING themselves in the best position. 

Carlton's Elijah Hollands couldn’t fault the response of his side against West Coast, referencing the team-first attitude that they left Melbourne with. 

Taking home a 65-point victory in Perth, Hollands was pleased that the Blues were able to put their mindset and structure to the test, now aiming for a big end to the 2024 season.

“It’s a fantastic win – there was a lot said during the week after last week’s performance against the Hawks and we put ourselves in a position where we needed to bounce back,” Hollands said on ABC post-game. 

“It’s a great feeling that we were able to do [what they did]: we knew what we needed to come over here and execute.”

Missing twin towers Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay among others was always going to be a  big challenge for the Blues heading into the Round 23 clash, but it was one that the young lineup was relishing. 

Heading in with a much smaller forward line that they usually would, many role players stood up for Carlton, including Brodie Kemp and Matt Kennedy who swung into attack with good effect.

Hollands lauded his teammates' ability to adapt and confirmed that they wanted to put their foot down in the West. 

“We wanted to have a big onus on our forward pressure this week,” he said. 

“In the last quarter, we just made sure we played the game out and didn’t give any easy goals.”

Carlton played two debutants, which definitely lifted the energy not only around the Club, but on game day.

Hollands admitted the inclusions lifted the entire group, seeing the happiness on their teammates' faces, and they well and truly rode the wave with Ashton Moir and Cooper Lord.

“Everyone remembers their first game and the energy and buzz that you get internally from that, and we just asked those boys to give it externally and give it to us as well and we needed it during the week,” he said.

“They were able to pick us up and the boys were able to get their jobs done – their lift and their energy really helped us today.” 

Hollands himself had a solid game, totally 25 disposals, eight score involvements and five intercept possessions, playing a slightly more defensive role than previous weeks.

Hollands lauded the impact and work rate of the team's senior core, with Patrick Cripps once again leading from the front with a convincing performance.

“We were undermanned, but [Cripps is] so reliable and leads with his actions on the field. He was able to rock up and do it again today,” he said.

“[Weitering], along with ‘Crippa’ is so reliable, the leader of our defence, it sets the ground up for us really well. 

“We know how good he is in the air and on the ground, he’s so reliable and someone that we trust every week to get his job done and he helps other boys do the same thing.”

The Blues go into next week's home game with their destiny in its own hands, hosting an in-form Saints side at Marvel Stadium on the final day of the home-and-away season.

Hollands said they’ll be relishing the prospect, but also acknowledges that their clash with St Kilda will be a clash to remember. 

“It’s good when you’re put in a position where you can make it happen for yourself, we don’t want to rely on anyone else so we’ll look forward to St Kilda next week,” he said. 

“[The Saints] flicked a switch last night, so we’ll expect their best, we know we’ll have to bring our best next week to get over the line.”