CARLTON coach Brett Ratten says the Blues are refocusing their energies on the task at hand after premature talk of finals appearances swamped the club earlier in the season.

The Blues won three of their first five games but suffered something of a slump after that, losing three of the next four before Friday night’s 41-point win against West Coast at Docklands.

“There was a lot of talk about finals early. From my point of view, let’s just win the games of footy,” Ratten said after the game.

“If we get the process right and we work on the game itself… if we keep working hard at that, the process will allow us to maybe win games of footy and give us that opportunity.

“We’ve got Brisbane next week and we’ve got St Kilda and then we’ve got the bye.

“We’ve got two really big games against quality opposition that are playing really good football so we’re just concentrating on Brisbane for next week.”

Ratten praised the efforts of Brendan Fevola, who finished with six goals in a welcome form turnaround.

Young players Aaron Joseph, Mark Austin and Matthew Kreuzer, who matched Eagles star Dean Cox in the ruck, also earned their coach’s plaudits.

He said the Blues’ improved output up forward was due in no small part to a change in tactics after the loss to Adelaide last weekend.

“I suppose you can play a bit more direct if you’ve got a few blokes forward of centre,” Ratten said.

“Last week we had no one [forward] and we had no one to kick to. Have we corrected back to get it about right? Maybe we’re getting a lot closer than we thought from last week.”

Ratten was also pleased by his young team’s ability to withstand some physical pressure from the Eagles prior to the first bounce.

The Blues booted the first three goals of the game after the fracas and were never headed.

“I think maybe we’re perceived to be not really hard at it and not that physical so maybe we have to bring that to the table too,” he said.

“I know they’re only young men but you watch someone like an Aaron Joseph and his ability to keep going and going and that appetite to compete… maybe we need to grow that from young men.

“Early on, I did see our blokes fight the fight or get on the front foot a bit more and I think that’s what’s required sometimes.”

The good news keeps on coming for the Blues with Andrew Carrazzo, Heath Scotland and Shaun Grigg all good chances to return for next weekend’s clash against the Brisbane Lions.