Carlton coach Brendon Bolton declared he's 'falling in love' with the determination of his rejuvenated side despite suffering a 33-point loss to Richmond on Thursday night.
With 13 new players - including six debutants - taking the field against one of the biggest powerhouses of the AFL, Bolton admitted he finally has the team that he's always dreamed of.
Since taking the helm in 2016, Carlton have achieved just 15 wins and finished at the bottom of the ladder last year.
But compared to the side that took the field in round 23 side last season, Bolton has nothing but hope for the year ahead.
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"It's taken us three years to get the list together that we want to hold together for a long time," Bolton said after the game.
"I'm falling in love with our players. I know that sounds mushy, I know it's not a word we use a lot but they're really tight and the same age. They have really open discussions with me about how they feel, and I with them and we're connecting really strongly.
"There's an element of pride when they do that. We just need to do it for longer. We overused the ball but fought really hard. Some mature heads prevailed in the end and they are the benchmark and we've got to chase them down really hard."
Hello Jerry.
— AFL (@AFL) March 21, 2019
Hello NEWMAN! #AFLBluesTigers pic.twitter.com/Y387Y03yuZ
Although the Blues trailed the Tigers by 40 points at the start of the second term, the youthful outfit managed to cut the margin down to just 10 points late in the game.
But the damage had already been done in a goalless first quarter, with the deficit proving too great to overcome.
While Richmond celebrated their first triumph of the season, Bolton had nothing but praise for the determined Blues.
"The one thing that I liked was the resilience and the determination to fight back," he said.
"The group didn’t lie down and they won’t lie down after this weekend. It’s a marathon, it’s a moment in time.
"I know that they are resilient. I know that they will dig in.
"But we are determined to get a result (and) it’s about growing and learning about eachother."
No.1 Draft pick Sam Walsh and former Sydney defender Nic Newman were the most impressive among the six new Carlton players. The debutant collected 24 disposals while Newman was awarded Player of the Match.
"Walsh's run, what did he have? 24 on debut? He's 18 years old, that's a fair effort.
"'Newy' has slotted in really well with 26 and it was a fair goal he kicked and a lot of metres gained so he's going to be a valuable addition to us."
Speaking to reporters after the match, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick acknowledged the wooden spooner's improvement from last year.
“All credit to Carlton, they have really improved and we knew that," Hardwick said.
“They have brought in some quality personnel and have drafted some young kids who have started to come on.
“It’s hard coming up against a team that you’ve seen a little bit of but not enough.”
Carlton will take on Port Adelaide in the second round, on Saturday March 30 at Adelaide Oval.
