Carlton senior coach Michael Voss has lauded two 'role players' who have 'earned' spots back in his side after the Blues solidified their finals credentials with a comeback victory over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Voss' men trailed the Saints by 22 points at the main change as they appeared in danger of relinquishing their winning run. However, a dominant seven-goal-to-one second half ensured the Blues faithful's joy was to continue for another week.
"It's certainly one of, if not the best, wins since I've been here," Voss told reporters post-game on Sunday evening.
"The Saints brought some serious heat, especially in the second quarter, so they asked a lot of questions of us. I think there's something in it when a team can absorb pressure.
"I'm just so pleased we were able to absorb that and come out and answer that, I think that's such a special trait to be able to have.
"It shows real resilience in the group. As we started to gather some momentum, the crowd came with us. It was pretty special.
"It wasn't all going for us. To be able to reset ourselves at half-time, come out and correct a few things, says a lot about the group, says a lot about their mindset and where they're at, says a lot about their confidence that they've got, says a bit about their belief in our system. Our second half was compelling."
Carlton's Sunday triumph represents its seventh-consecutive win, elevating the Baggers to fifth position on the ladder heading into Round 22.
The Blues managed to pip the Saints in spite of multiple key contributors remaining sidelined, as midfielders Sam Walsh, Adam Cerra, and Matthew Kennedy, as well as forwards Harry McKay and Jack Silvagni watched on due to injuries.
With that crucial crew unavailable on Sunday, Voss oversaw a duo in particular, midfielder Paddy Dow and forward Lachie Fogarty, step up and play instrumental roles for the Princes Park club.
"I think that's been the trademark of us for the last four to five weeks," Voss said. "We've had some role players that have been able to get jobs done."
"I thought the crowd may have torn down the stands if I actually subbed him (Dow)," Voss laughed. "I thought we better leave him on but what a great moment to be able to take that moment (kicking an impactful goal).
"Guys like him and Fog (Lachie Fogarty), I'm just so impressed with their persistence through disappointment. Clearly, they want to be AFL players, to be able to persist and play a role for us right now has been really impressive. We've got a lot of guys in our team right now in the same boat who've had to earn their way back in."
Dow, in particular, has had question marks about his footballing future hang over him for months, as the 2017 No. 3 draft selection, as well as the 24-year-old Fogarty, come out of contract at the conclusion of this season.
While a future in Blue beyond 2023 is still uncertain for the pair, they did their chances of another Carlton contract no harm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Voss and the Blues' next challenge comes in the form of the Demons, who are looking ever-dangerous themselves.
"What we've got a lot of benefit out of is working on our game and staying completely present to one another and enjoying what we're doing," Voss continued.
"I see no reason why we'd change that. We've got Melbourne next week, they're going pretty well as well. It's dangerous to cast your mind any further than that."
Carlton meets Melbourne next Saturday night at the MCG.
