Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Carlton caretaker coach Josh Fraser has credited the club’s recent wins to a natural evolution and he’s embracing the chance to further showcase the Blues’ progress in Friday night’s clash with Geelong at the MCG.
The Blues have posted morale-boosting wins against the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide since Michael Voss stood down as coach following the round-nine loss to Brisbane.
Carlton’s second-half fadeouts were a big reason behind their 1-8 start to the season, which ultimately cost Voss his job.
The Blues have shown more resolve under Fraser, but the former Magpies ruckman says foundations already set were a big part of their recent success.
“I’d like to think we’ve evolved more than changed,” Fraser said.
“And I guess as you evolve, there’s natural changes with what you do.
“But there’s been a strong foundation built, and we’ve been able to consider what that looks like moving forward.
“Some of the changes happen game day, but some of it has happened Monday to Friday with the way we train, and maybe where we’re putting some energy, and the way we’re educating, so it’s evolving in small steps.”
Fraser has already declared he doesn’t want the head coaching role beyond his interim stint, but the Blues still have a chance to achieve something special under the caretaker by gate-crashing the AFL’s new Wildcard finals format, which means a team as low as 10th can sneak in.
The Blues (3-8) sit a lowly 15th, but a shock win over Geelong would put them within striking distance of 10th-placed Collingwood (5-5-1).
Geelong (8-3) are on a four-game winning streak and are full of confidence after defeating Sydney by 27 points last week.
“Over a long period of time, they’ve arguably been the benchmark of the competition,” Fraser said of the Cats.
“So Friday night presents a great challenge for us to put our brand of football on show and stay connected against a team that can do different things to you.”
Carlton have been boosted by the return of star defender Jacob Weitering, while Blake Acres replaces Matthew Carroll following the 20-year-old’s season-ending knee injury.
Geelong get back Tanner Bruhn in place of the rested Jack Martin.
