Carlton coach Brett Ratten says his players are embracing the expectations that come with being one of the favourites for this year’s AFL premiership.
The unbeaten Blues’ big win over Collingwood last Friday night has boosted perceptions from outside the club of what Carlton is capable of this season.
Ratten said in previous years, his team might have been adversely affected by such hype, but they had developed the maturity to handle it well.
“Four and five years ago, the group tried to avoid those (expectations) and not really deal with it,” the Carlton coach said.
“Now they’re really looking forward to it and the challenge.
“This football club has put pressure on playing groups over its time to perform and demand success.
“It’s sometimes one of your strengths and one of your weaknesses as well, but I think the group have really enjoyed it.”
But Ratten said the club had only to look back at their finals exits of the past three seasons, all by narrow margins, to ensure they stayed firmly focused on improving.
And he said they would not be dropping their guard for Saturday’s MCG clash with Essendon.
While the Bombers are also unbeaten, their wins over North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast have been less impressive than the Blues’ form.
But Ratten said he would not be sucked in by any Essendon attempts to suggest their form was not as good as their unbeaten record suggested.
He said statistics suggested the Bombers deserved their place near the top of the ladder.
“They’re in a lot better form than they’re letting on and maybe they’re getting credit for,” he said.