ASSISTANT coach Brent Stanton is confident with the learnings that his side have been undertaking this season.

With many tough, contested games in a fairly even season, no side has embodied that more than Carlton: the Blues have had four of their seven games decided by less than a goal.

Stanton said the coaches are happy with the way the Blues have responded to the challenges and circumstances thrown at them this season.

“The main thing that our coaching group has been trying to push to our players is that we just have to try and play our way of football every week,” Stanton said. 

“We’ve been playing some exciting footy and trying to score which is something we’ve really focussed on during the pre-season.”

As well as focusing on improvement by the week, having a consistent playing list is contributing to the Blues’ confidence. 

For the second time in as many weeks, Carlton is going into a game with an unchanged side: a rare sight for the Blues in the recent seasons. 

Stanton said the coaching staff had been putting its faith in a playing group which was responding to their messages each game.

“We really haven’t had continuity at our football club for a fair while and it’s great that we go unchanged again this week,” he said. 

“I think if we keep putting them in those positions that they’re just going to keep growing and learning as footballers and as people as we go along.

“We’re very pleased: these players are so receptive to everything we have to say."

This week, the Blues will be running out with members' names on the back of their guernseys, as part of Back our ‘Baggers campaign presented by Hyundai. 

Stanton believes the initiative gives the playing group a clear sense of support from the membership base, even though the vast majority can’t be there. 

“In these unprecedented times when members can’t get to the game, it’s amazing that we can put their names on the back of the guernseys and make them feel a part of it,” he said. 

“I think we’re at record breaking membership and keep growing as a football club: we can’t thank all of our supporters enough.”