AFTER taking home the four points against the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night, Carlton captain Marc Murphy said he was pleased the young group was rewarded for its hard work throughout the week.

The Blues recorded their second win of season in the Round 19 clash at Metricon Stadium, defeating the Suns by 35 points.

“It was good to finally get a result up here and get away with all the boys – they all played a really strong brand of footy which was good,” Murphy told SEN on Sunday.

“We’re still trying to work hard as a group to perform really strong habits, and last night we got some reward which was good for a young group to finally enjoy.

“After putting in a lot of hard work, to share in the success and see the smiles on faces – that’s what you play footy for.”

‘Murph’, who collected 36 disposals and booted a goal, said he was proud of the leaders who stood up when the Suns jumped out of the blocks early in the first quarter.

“The first 10 minutes they kicked three goals, so it was good from our leaders that we just kept digging in. We thought if we just kept cracking in at the contest it will finally turn our way," he said.

“I think the third quarter was the footy we’ve being trying to train and play all year; get some free-flowing footy, blokes backing themselves and being hard at the contest – it finally started to happen for us.”

Carlton’s first-year players also made an impact on the contest, with midfielder Paddy Dow racking up 18 disposals and two goals, while left-footer Lochie O’Brien had 12 touches and booted a goal.

The skipper, who has been mentoring Dow and midfielder Zac Fisher, reiterated the importance of “investing” in the Blues’ young players.

“It’s really important as a senior player to invest heavily in our young guys and keep teaching them as much as we can,” Murphy said.

“'Dowy' certainly played one of his best games of the year, he was really composed and showed the power that he does have to burn someone off, then steady up and kick goals for us. He’s shown glimpses of that throughout the year, but probably hasn’t finished off his work.

“Dow, Fisher, O’Brien and Kennedy are starting to get some good footy into themselves, and ‘Langy’ (Darcy Lang) came in and played some good footy for us too. So, some guys that had interrupted pre-seasons are learning their craft and are starting to make some inroads with their footy and produce week-in week-out for us which is really good to see.”

Carlton will be looking to build on its performance when it takes on an in-form GWS at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The Round 20 action kicks off at 1:10pm.