WITH the Blues’ Friday night clash against the Saints only three days away, vice-captain Sam Docherty believes the short week provides a chance for the Blues’ young side to respond on the big stage.

The injured All-Australian defender said it was imperative for his side to show a response this week following the Blues’ disappointing loss to Brisbane on Saturday.

“We look forward to this week, it’s a good opportunity on a six-day break for a young group to develop and show a response that we require against St Kilda on Friday night,” Docherty said.

The 24-year-old acknowledged that while the team’s performance wasn’t “up to scratch”, everyone at the Club was prepared for the hard work ahead.

“Our performance wasn’t up to scratch and it’s not what we stand for as a football club. But there’s only one way out of it and that’s hard work, and we’re all on board to do it,” Docherty said.

The 2016 John Nicholls Medallist, who ruptured his ACL during the Club’s pre-season, launched a protective defence of his talented young teammates who have arrived via the draft over the last three years.

Highlighting how many young Carlton players were being asked to play key roles within the side due to the Club’s extensive injury list, Docherty said it would benefit the players in the long-term.

“Overall I think our list is quite strong. I know we’re not seeing that this year, but I know a lot of our young guys that we can see being talented players for the Club, are in their young phase of footy – in their second or third years,” Docherty said on the Sunday Footy Show. 

“At the moment, we have a lot of young guys playing significant roles in our team. Zac Fisher and Paddy Dow are playing a lot of inside mid, Lochie O’Brien is a starting winger – a very important player in our system – and Jacob Weitering in his third year is playing full-back.”

As a leader of the Club, Docherty reiterated it would take a collective effort from the experienced players, as well as their developing talent to achieve the success they’re striving for.

“Our young guys and older guys need to work really hard as a group to get where we need to go. I think we’ve got the talent and that’s why the Club has been so strong in terms of priority picks,” he said.

“We don’t want handouts, we ended up being in this position through our own fault over the last 10 years. We’ll box our way out of it. I’m confident we’ve got the right people in the right places, in terms of president, coaches, CEO, leaders and players at the Club. It’s about putting the hard work in on the track and it will turn around soon.”

Reflecting on his own year on the sidelines, Docherty said he had enjoyed his role, albeit in an off-field capacity.

“After footy at this stage I’d love to do it (coach), it has been a lot of fun,” he said.

“Strategically, it’s been good to stay in the grind of week-to-week footy, throwing my bits and pieces to the coaches and help develop our young talent – it has been very fun and very rewarding. It’s been really good for my development in terms of my coaching and leadership, so it has ticked both boxes for me this year.”

Carlton takes on St Kilda this Friday night at Etihad Stadium, with the action kicking off at 7:50pm.

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