BELIEF is key.

That's the message Carlton Senior Coach David Teague is delivering to his players ahead of the upcoming season opener against Richmond.

The Blues will meet the Tigers in the traditional Round 1 fixture on Thursday night, with Teague optimistic about how the Blues will match up with the reigning premiers.

“We need to play four quarters and that was a pattern for us last year and we think if we can get the game on our terms, we can open it up and move the ball the way we like to move,” Teague said. 

“Obviously Richmond are a great side and they’ve been the best for a while so it’s a great challenge.”

While it's been a while since the Blues have emerged victorious in Round 1, Teague is hopeful that Carlton's numerous close games will hold his team in good stead in key moments on Thursday.

After eight of Carlton's 17 games last year ended in single-digit margins, Teague said the group needed to continue building belief to push through high-pressure scenarios in game.

“It’s being able to truly believe when the pressure comes that you stand up and I think that’s what our playing group last year got the experience of,” he said. 

“You build belief off going out and doing and preparing well and I feel really confident that our guys are prepared well, they’ve trained hard.” 

After letting a potential top-eight berth slip through their grasp last season, Teague is confident that the Blues have found what they need to take the next step going forward.

“We didn’t make finals last year, yet we were in a lot of games: we’ve got to start turning those moments into wins and when we do that, I can see our group really getting that belief and confidence,” he said. 

“Being in those positions, as I mentioned earlier, gives you an opportunity not only to feel it and experience it but then to review it and learn.

 “I think our leaders are getting better and right now, as a group we have to get better across the whole field and that’s where we’re at.”