Carlton swingman Lachie Henderson puts his sensational season down to continuity and increased confidence.
After starting the season on the Blues backline, Henderson was shifted up forward in Round 16, to fill the void left by the then injured Jarrad Waite.
It has proved an ingenious move by coach Mick Matlhouse – Henderson has added height and potency to the Blues forward structure, kicking 18 goals in six matches.
Henderson's told radio SEN he's enjoying having some consistency this year.
"I've played every game this year, which has been a lot of different for me from past years," Henderson said. "Just getting some confidence from that and slowly building on that has been the big thing."
The Blues kept their season alive with the Round 21 win over Richmond. Match-day also marked an important milestone for coach Mick Malthouse – his 60th birthday.
But Henderson has laughed off suggestions that it was a birthday request from Malthouse at quarter time which sparked Carlton's fightback.
"He definitely didn't say that," Henderson said. "But I think maybe the boys thought about it a little bit, and thought righto, lets give him a good present."
Instead, Henderson puts the win down to sheer determination from the Blues, particularly Brock McLean and Mitch Robinson who starred in an inspired second quarter.
"Take nothing away, they (Richmond) were playing some really good footy in that first quarter," Henderson said. "I think we finally came to play after quarter time, and it turned out to be a really good match after that."