Carlton added the Western Bulldogs to their list of impressive scalps on Sunday night, running up 52-point winners in the Metricon Stadium clash.
The Blues are now 3-3 and nestled in the eight, and Essendon great Tim Watson believes they could be there to stay.
“If they can get it together, and they’ve got to be able to perform consistently, at their best they’re a top eight side. They’ve got top eight talent,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“There’s a philosophical shift in the way they play.
“You watch this week in week out where players have the ball – Carlton players when they have the ball they roll and want to play on.
“When there’s an option for them to go short, they ignore that and go longer down the field and that puts pressure on the opposition defence.
“We saw that time and time again I the way they played. They are drilled to play a certain way.
“Now, it won’t hold up every single week, but I love what they’re doing. I love the way that David Teague is wanting his team to play.”
Watson singled out Jack Martin for serious praise, likening him to a modern day great.
“He might be as good as Cyril (Rioli) in terms of a 10-possession player and what he’s capable of doing, Jack Martin.”
“He’s got some extraordinary talent about him.”
Martin kicked two goals from 13 disposals, had 9 score involvements and laid five tackles.
The Blues next face the ladder-topping Power next Sunday afternoon on the Gabba.
