Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps still has plenty of confidence in what the club can achieve in 2023.
After losing their fourth game in five weeks, the Blues look all at sea with a host of their key players struggling to find form.
Trailing the Western Bulldogs by five goals, Carlton stormed back into Saturday night's match to snatch the lead with six minutes to go, but unfortunately for their fans saw another loss next to their name.
Cripps believes the side isn't far off from its best and that it's 'execution' more than anything that has prevented them from singing the song at the end of the game.
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"We feel like we're close to playing our best footy," Cripps said on Tuesday.
"We feel like there's a lot of growth coming in our game but were coming in with our heads up and trying to get better.
"The opportunities have been there but it was execution (reason they lost on Saturday)... Probably the story of our year.
"The effort and intensity have been there... we fought our way back (after being five goals down) and I'm proud of the group.
"We feel around the club we are doing a lot right but we can't get discouraged by results...I'm still very bullish of the potential of this group. I know how hard we're working and things will turn."
After a hot start to the season, the Blues now sit outside the top eight off the back off some pretty scratchy form, which has seen key forward Harry McKay cop a lot of criticism.
The 2021 Coleman Medalist has played every game this year for a return of 12 goals, with commentary around his confidence being at an all time low.
Is it time for Carlton to bring in goal kicking help for Harry McKay?
— Sportsday (@SENSportsday) May 15, 2023
Gerard, Sam, Kane and Hodgey debate it. pic.twitter.com/vvD8fkxNkY
Known for his iconic set-shot snaps from relatively easy angles, McKay has struggled to put them through the big sticks consistently, which is a reflection of where the club is at.
The 25-year-old has converted a disappointing 37.5 per cent of his shots on goal (12/32), a standard that is well down on his usual output.
In 2022, McKay kicked 45 goals from 87 shots (52 per cent), and 58 from 102 (57 per cent) in his Coleman Medal winning year.
Harry McKay says he will persist with the snaps for goal from set shots in 2023.@SENBreakfast | #AFL pic.twitter.com/Nyh5fFm7gN
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) February 20, 2023
This year, Carlton has been one of the worst teams for goal accuracy, sitting 13th in the competition at a rate of 45.9 per cent, yet they sit eighth (49.4 per cent) for turning inside 50s into shots at the big sticks.
Cripps came to the defence of McKay's decision to opt with the snap set-shots, putting it down to working at your craft, however that looks.
"If you look over the last 12 to 18 months, his (McKay's) snap percentage has been high and has been a very successful kick for him," the skipper said.
"Everyone practices their own technique from different parts of the field... and he puts as much work in as anyone and he'd be as frustrated as anyone about some of his execution at the moment but you gotta keep backing him in.
"He is one of the best forwards in the comp and provides so much for us."
Sitting with four wins and a draw leading into round 10, Carlton have a chance to turn their season around on Sunday in a crucial clash against arch-rivals Collingwood at the MCG.
The pair of clubs arguably put on two of the most exciting and thrilling games of 2022 in rounds 11 and 23, with the Pies prevailing in both by four and one point.
With such a rich history between the two powerhouse clubs of the AFL dating back to 1897, the home of football is expecting to house well over 80,000 die-hard fans, especially given how ladder leaders Collingwood are going.
Cripps says his side is acknowledging the challenge of coming up against the in-form Pies but is leaning into the occasion.
"I think the group has moved on from (last year's heartbreaking loss) but I'd say when you play big team and big rivals, you love playing in these games," the 27-year-old said.
"It will be a fierce contest, packed MCG and it will be on."
The first bounce between Collingwood and Carlton is Sunday 3:20pm AEST at the MCG.
