CARLTON coach Brett Ratten believes the Blues are starting to reap the rewards from showing patience with key forward Lachie Henderson.

The Blues virtually cemented their position in the top eight following their 89-point thumping of arch-rivals Richmond to currently sit sixth on the ladder, ahead of the seventh-placed Sydney Swans on percentage.

Henderson struggled to find his feet when he first arrived from the Brisbane Lions as part of the trade that saw Brendan Fevola head north, but in the last two weeks he has turned Carlton's fortunes around.

Henderson finished Saturday's match against Richmond with three goals from his 10 marks, but it was his endeavour around the ground and his ability to give a contest that won praise from Ratten.

“He is only a young man. He is a great kid and has worked extremely hard on his
game and I think he has built that up over the last couple of weeks,” Ratten said.

“He worked really hard and he got good reward.

“I think it’s a message for not just us but everyone that it takes time. It’s not easy changing clubs, even if they’re a mature player.”

But the win may have come at a cost for the Blues with Aaron Joseph (ankle) and in-form ruckman Shaun Hampson (ankle) in serious doubt for the Blues clash against Geelong next Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

Ratten said the pair would be assessed during the week, and hinted at the possibility of either Setanta O’hAilpin or Sam Jacobs returning to the senior fold.  

“Last week he [Jacobs] had 66 hit-outs, 30 possessions and kicked 1.5 [in the VFL],” Ratten said.

“His form is in really good order and I think if he had to come in I wouldn’t be worried about that at all.”

The Carlton coach, who two weeks ago found himself under the pump following the side’s abysmal loss to Collingwood, was pleased the Blues maintained their intensity from last week to record back-to-back wins for the first time since round 10 and 11 this year.

The Blues were at their dominating best, smashing the Tigers in the inside 50 count 62-39 while their 23.18 scoreline featured 12 individual goalkickers.

“Across the board I thought we set the scene early…  I’m really pleased in that two weeks we could really back that intensity up,” he said.