Carlton captain Patrick Cripps is no stranger to a crisis, and says he's about to find out which of his teammates will "step up and dig in" amid the current dilemma.
Cripps has witnessed two sackings since 2019 (Brendon Bolton and David Teague), with critics pushing for a third as Michael Voss faces intense scrutiny.
The Blues have slumped to 11th on the ladder with a 6-9 win-loss record, and have brought forward the start date of incoming CEO Graham Wright, who takes over from Brian Cook on August 15.
The walls have well and truly begun caving in on the Victorian club, which Cripps says will reveal those willing to stick around for the fight.
"The thing I really try to focus on as well with the other leaders is making sure we're all on the same page, but also trying to keep the energy high ... as much as you can, you've got to try and block the external out and it can be loud," Cripps told the new vodcast On The Inside.
"Like for the moment, for us, it's really loud on the outside, so (it's about) how you can keep eyes in and really control and live the standards but also create the energy."
"You find out a lot about yourself, I reckon, (in) these times, not only as a player but as a leader, but also (about) guys around you, the ones that really want to step up and dig in versus, like I said before, the ones that want to step away," he said to fellow Brownlow medallists Tom Mitchell and Lachie Neale.
"But I feel like we've got the right group of people at the club to really band together and stick together."
Carlton's run doesn't get any easier, with a Friday night contest against premiership favourites and arch rivals Collingwood set for the MCG.
The Blues will be without defender Adam Saad, while Jack Silvagni and Jacob Weitering have been under injury clouds.
The Pies will welcome back Brayden Maynard to the side, but could miss Steele Sidebottom (illness) and Bobby Hill (personal reasons).
