Carlton veteran Sam Docherty has lifted the lid on what the club will focus on at training ahead of Thursday night's clash against Collingwood at the MCG.
The Blues are running out of time after a sluggish start to 2025 has their campaign hanging on by a thread, with defeats to Richmond, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs stacking the loss column.
Despite multiple players missing through injury or personal leave, Carlton supporters are forced to watch an array of disappointing outings.
As it stands, Michael Voss' men rank dead last for disposal efficiency (66 per cent). They sit fourth (58.3) for inside 50s, but have proven that with unconvincing entries, the scoreboard rarely ticks over.
Carlton are 18th for scores per inside 50 (36.6 per cent) and for goal efficiency (16 per cent).
The Blues have averaged just 68 points in their three defeats.
Docherty says that "having composure" and providing the correct options under pressure is what could help them notch their first victory of the season.
"Just get to work on it," Docherty said plainly.
"It's multi-faceted. There's the options and providing the system that gives the ball carrier the best opportunity to hit the targets and provide targets for him to hit.
"It's also the guy with ball in hand, having some composure, which when the pressure comes in big game, it's a tough thing to do, but we're working through them on both sides. Being the ball carrier and being options to assist in making easy decisions for him."
Docherty is confident that the Blues can turn it around quickly, despite looking down the barrel of a 0-4 start.
Last year, Brisbane began winless after four games but stormed back into the premiership race after a near-perfect run from Round 12.
"It's not like we can't do it," he said.
"We worked really hard over the pre-season, but for whatever reason, we've gone away from playing it consistently through games."
It's also become apparent that the Blues have struggled to run out games in their opening three encounters, failing to capitalise on first-half dominance.
Carlton hasn't won a quarter after half time so far this year, outscored by a total of 89 points in second halves over its three losses to Richmond, Hawthorn, and the Western Bulldogs. pic.twitter.com/JxhruQl14V
โ 7AFL (@7AFL) March 29, 2025
"We haven't been playing the way we should be," he added.
"Offensively, definitely. That contributes to speeding up the other team. They're so linked offence and defence.
"Ball movement and defensive patterns are so linked with each other that often our offence is fueling the other team's offence off the back of it."
Carlton fans could also be buoyed by the potential return of Harry McKay and Elijah Hollands to the senior side.
Both have spent time away from the club due to personal matters but have returned to training in the last week, and would be a welcome boost against the Pies.
"They're both going well," Docherty said.
"They're both obviously on their journey and working through at the moment. Both at the footy club. Both training. The conversations I've had with them, they're in a really good spot.
"I understand it's never linear, so you never know what's around the corner with mental health stuff, but, as a football club, we're supporting them."
