Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh has conceded that the Blues need to make mental adjustments after halftime following three consecutive second half fadeouts to start 2026.
It continues a trend that has long plagued the Blues under coach Michael Voss, with Carlton going into the Good Friday clash against North Melbourne with a 1-2 record.
“We might need to run through the banner two times I reckon, reset the game. But in all seriousness, there's a few things we can focus on with our mentality. When teams start to come at us, what team do we want to become?” Walsh said to media on Tuesday.
“You guys all have questions on certain things but that's to keep it short and brief and not go into any tactical or execution side of it.
“It's the mentality of how can we turn it around and really break the back of a team coming with momentum or how do we stop that and take it back the other way so I think on the weekend it's the ability to understand that within the contest, we need to reset and make it a fight and maintain a bit of possession of the ball
“I do feel like we're prepared but we can sit here and talk all we want, the proof is we haven't done it.
“We have to sit here and take the learnings out of that and on an individual level, there's certain things myself and others have to get better at and as a group, how can we get excited by those moments?
The last 10 minutes was pretty disappointing. At the moment, we've shown we haven't created habits that last four quarters. There's no point sooking about it, it's getting to work on it now.
Walsh denied there was a sense of inevitability about poor second halves, but admitted the leaders needed to do more to stand up and put teams to the sword when the game is on the line.
He echoed the frustrations of Adam Simpson, who is working at the club as a part time coaching mentor, and indicated that there was no issue with the premiership coach's public criticism given he works in a distant role to players.
Walsh was also steadfast in his support of Voss.
“We're all right in behind ‘Vossy' and the biggest thing with our whole mindset this year is we're all in it together,” Walsh said.
“I know the outside will make it about one or two people but the coach is part of the coaching group that then help the players and the players are there to execute what the coaches are giving to us and at times we need to put our hands up as players and execute for longer.
“For me, that will be different to another player, as a line group that might be different from forwards to backs but we've got to be a team that wants to create habits.
“There's a lot of good work that's being done which we can't let fade away through frustration.
“(Simpson has) been a great help for Vossy. He hasn't been around the club as much as a presence, he's there for Vossy. That's the role he's playing at the club.”
Given the noise that Carlton's poor start to the season has brought, Walsh highlighted the positivity of playing in the marquee Good Friday timeslot.
“It's a massive privilege. Been lucky to be involved in this game (for) four years,” Walsh said.
“The perspective it gives and to be here for people who are struggling is something you take great pride in and glad they can get a little bit of enjoyment out of it but then to see the staff and facilities and all the help we're trying to build for all these kids - we don't take that lightly as a club.”
