Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has spoken to the media following the Blues' stunning loss to cellar-dwellers North Melbourne on Saturday.

A fighting fourth term erased a more humiliating final scoreline, however the Kangaroos' 46-point three-quarter-time lead was not a margin easily forgotten by Carlton fans.

More pressure than ever is on coach Michael Voss and his future at the helm, as CEO-in-waiting Graham Wright is anticipated to shake up the Blues when he takes the reins officially come season's end.

Carlton now sit two games and 15 per cent behind ninth-placed Gold Coast, and 28 per cent out of the eight, making finals calculations increasingly slim for the underperforming Blues.

It represents a startling sharp turn in form for the worse, as the Roos loss came exactly one year after Carlton pulverised Geelong in 2024, which established a top-two spot on the table.

From that game, Carlton has won just eight more times and only one of which has been against a side positioned in the top eight, which was Geelong again earlier this season.

With rumours swirling about the viability of Voss' tenure, as well as the heat ramping up on Carlton to improve, Cripps fronted the media on Monday to ask the Blues faithful to remain united in adversity.

"I've probably got a bit of experience in this position, but it's like any bit of adversity, you learn a lot about yourself and people around you," Cripps said.

"I feel like Vossy summed it up perfectly in his presser, times like this is actually a time to come together and be really united. We will find out a bit about us in the next little bit, and that excites me, but I couldn't be more aligned with what he said about club-wide being united and sticking together. That will be my message today.

"I think at the moment there's definitely lapses in games with consistency. I think overall, if you look at the year, the effort of the group's been there, I don't think you can question that.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: Patrick Cripps (left) and Jacob Weitering of the Blues look dejected after a loss during the 2025 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: Patrick Cripps (left) and Jacob Weitering of the Blues look dejected after a loss during the 2025 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"It's probably moments in games that are letting us down so that's what we're working to address. There's no quick solution to fix it. As leaders, it's really important we stand up in these moments."

Well regarded as one of the most passionate fan bases in the AFL, Cripps implored Blues supporters to remain side by side with the club through its patch of disappointing form.

"I don't want to divide us versus the fans, it's really important we stay together," Cripps said.

"When times are tough it's really important to stay together and stay united... My message will be the same (to the playing group), we're sticking fat together.

"Buy in and really get behind us, and we'll turn it around. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of effort, but we've got to stay united.

"When does life always go to plan? It's not linear, I've never had a year when it's all gone to plan or smooth sailing... You've just got to stick together, you'll find a way through it.

"If we knew the outcome, the whole journey wouldn't be that fun. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be in this position, but also realistically, we'll find our way out of this position."

With concerns over Voss' future at the helm, Cripps staunchly defended his coach and the players' buy-in to his methodology.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Michael Voss, Senior Coach of the Blues looks on during the 2024 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues at The Gabba on September 07, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Michael Voss, Senior Coach of the Blues looks on during the 2024 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues at The Gabba on September 07, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"I couldn't speak highly enough of Vossy as a coach and also as a mentor and a friend. He puts a lot of work into it, along with the whole coaching group, they're very aligned," Cripps said.

"We're in it together, and we're not going to point fingers or blame anyone else. He's done a great job for us for a long time now, and I feel like as players we need to aim up a bit more."

The Blues have a sharp turnaround to make amends for their shock Round 15 loss, taking on Port Adelaide on Thursday night.

 Thursday, June 26 
Port Adel WON BY 50 POINTS
Adelaide Oval
PORT   
110
FT
60
   CARL