If only Carlton could deliver a four-quarter performance.
The Blues flipped the script on Friday with a disappointing first half followed by a second half surge as they tested reigning premier Brisbane at the Gabba.
Carlton coach Michael Voss said he challenged his players after they were down 56-18 at halftime.
"I asked for a response quite forcefully at halftime, and to the boys' credit, they came out fighting," Voss said in the post-game press conference.
"It probably didn't quite go our way in the first few minutes of the third quarter, so we could be forgiven for thinking, 'That's just not us for today'. And we fought, which was pleasing.
"Whether we had a chance to win or not, that's hard to say, but it sort of felt like we were that one goal off it from asking the question. They were able to steady with (Lachie) Neale kicking that goal, and that was probably the difference in the end.
"We acknowledge the fight, but we can't be comfortable in mediocrity. We have to have higher standards of ourselves than that."
Voss has been under immense pressure throughout 2026, with many predicting he won't be the coach of Carlton by the end of the season.
When asked whether the Blues' improved effort and performance had made him feel more comfortable in his position, Voss said that's not how he evaluates his own coaching.
"I don't look at it that way," he said.
"I don't coach for my job; I coach for building a culture. Hopefully, by the time I leave here, we will have winning behaviours and understand clearly what that looks like.
"I coach to create an environment that will enable that to happen. Often, people will make it about your job, but the reality is I make it about something else."
