In the space of three weeks, Carlton has transformed its on field demeanour and brand, resurrecting a season that looked particularly dark during the final days of Mick Malthouse’s reign. Call it the John Barker effect, call it part and parcel of a fresh man in charge, call it whatever you like. Carlton is playing a completely different brand of football under Barker and the performances speak for themselves.
 
Since taking over as interim coach back in round nine, Barker’s side has produced a gutsy performance against Sydney at the SCG, a narrow loss to Adelaide by nine points in Chris Judd’s final game, and a stirring four-point win over Port Adelaide following the bye. The difference hasn’t been personnel; the difference has been intent. One of the more blatant indicators from the Blues victory over the Power was the ferocity of their tackling. It may have cost Bryce Gibbs two weeks on the sidelines, but it was infectious and a theme of the day – and of the last three weeks. Tackling and pressure is a reflection of mindset. You don’t get stronger over night, nor do you suddenly become better equipped at tackling opponents.
 
Less than a month ago, when Barker was appointed as the stand-in mentor for the remainder of 2015, circumstances were bleak inside Ikon Park. An ornament of the game was forced out of the club due to poor performance and an outpouring of media pressure. As well as that interesting interview on morning radio the day his fate was sealed. Since then, the transformation has been remarkable. A fresh person in the saddle has reinvigorated the club, providing players with a new lease on life. At the end of Malthouse’s time, football experts and media analysts went through the Blues list with forensic ferocity.  There was widespread concern regarding the lack of high-end talented youth at Princes Park. Three weeks later that doesn’t seem to be such a large concern.
 
Under Barker, the Blues have played with a level of freedom seemingly not present under Malthouse. The last three weeks have seen Carlton get their hands on the ball far more, and maintain possession instead of giving it back to the opposition. In the last three weeks they have averaged 370.7 possessions (ranked 4th in the competition), compared to an average of 332.5 possessions (ranked 16th) during rounds 1-8. Carlton’s mark, play on percentage has risen from 34.2% (ranked 9th) to 39.3% (ranked 3rd). Coming out of the defensive arc, Carlton are using the boundary more than any other team in the competition (64.2%), avoiding the corridor more than any other side – using it just 6.3% during the last three games. The new brand is working, clearly.
 
The football world is buzzing about Patrick Cripps. His performance against Port Adelaide was nothing short of brilliant, winding his Rising Star odds into a staggering $1.80 with one bookmaker on the back of a 31 possession, 12 tackle and nine clearance effort. But it is not just Cripps that is fuelling hope in the Carlton faithful. Dylan Buckley and Troy Menzel have been earmarked for big futures for quite some time now, and the pair both showed their class and dash against the Power. Tom Bell and Nick Graham’s endeavour is right out of the top drawer. And then there is Sam Docherty. It’s not hard to see why Brisbane was so shattered to lose him. He has become the Blues quarterback – at least the right-footed version with Kade Simpson still utilising his polished left shoe - directing traffic with his polished skills, making smart decisions time and time again. Docherty leads the Blues for rebound 50s with 4.9 per game, as well as averaging 21.4 disposals to be one of their best contributors in 2015.

Key Players

Patrick Cripps has been the toast of the football landscape this week and with good reason following his age-defying performance against Port Adelaide. The West Australian product has been humming along all season, building his brand by the week and strengthening his chances of becoming the next Rising Star recipient. But on Saturday afternoon, on the mecca of football, and in just his 12th senior game, Cripps produced a stunning performance to lead Carlton to just their second victory of the season. His feats have been lauded all week, with some suggesting that the Rising Star award is all but won. However, his performances across the first half of the season haven’t been dotted with major fluctuations in form. In nine games, Cripps is averaging 23.0 possessions (ranked 3rd at Carlton), 14.1 contested possessions (1st), 5.6 tackles (2nd) and 6.0 clearances (1st). Stunning statistics for any player, let alone one with so little experience. He is a contested animal, aptly nicknamed ‘the extractor’ for his innate ability of winning the ball in tight, and will be one player Rodney Eade will be forced to put some serious work into this Sunday.
 
With Bryce Gibbs suspended this weekend, and Chris Judd now three weeks into retirement, the importance of Marc Murphy has rarely been as obvious. A young onball division comprising of Cripps, Bell and Graham need direction. And that’s exactly what Murphy can provide, as well as his obvious class. Whilst he hasn’t quite been near his career defining season of 2011 where he won the John Nicholls medal, All Australian selection and the AFLCA Player of the Year award, his last three weeks have shown signs of how Barker’s appointment has also reinvigorated Carlton’s best asset. Murphy’s average disposal output of 26.2 is his highest since 2012 – not quite the 29.1 of 2011 – and he leads the Blues for total possessions won. He is also averaging 4.4 inside 50s and 4.7 clearances a game to highlight his value. The skipper did come from the game late in the clash against the Power with a knee injury, but he did return to play out the dying minutes.
 
It’s hard to go past Kade Simpson when looking for the most important players in the Carlton side. The lightly-built veteran is still providing plenty of drive and direction from the back half of the ground and still touching the football enough times to impact games. He might not quite be having a Robert Murphy like affect in his old age, but Simpson is still as creative and poised as ever. The sight of him taking a diving, match saving grab against the Power last weekend was enough to remind you of his service over a long and finals starved career at Princes Park. He is averaging 23.6 disposals per game (ranked 2nd at Carlton), four rebound 50s (3rd) and is using the ball at an elite disposal efficiency rate of 81.6 per cent. Simpson might not quite be at his John Nicholls medal winning best of 2013, but his value is being seen in the progress Docherty is making across half back this season. The former Lion looks destined for a spot down there for the best part of the next decade.