Interim Carlton coach Josh Fraser has enjoyed a blessed start to his tenure helming the storied club, guiding his charges to a 12-point victory over the favoured Western Bulldogs.
In his first match in the top job, the former Collingwood ruckman guided his maligned list to their first victory since their lucky escape against Richmond on March 12th.
In doing so, Fraser became the first player taken with the first pick of a National Draft to go on and coach at the elite level. Post-match, the Magpies' first selection in 1999 told broadcaster Fox Footy that the outing did indeed further his desire to one day step into the pressure cooker that is AFL coaching, full time.
"I've got ambitions to do it. I feel like I'm still growing as a coach, I probably don't feel like I'm quite ready, but I'm going to try and really get as much out of this next 13 weeks as I can," Fraser told former opponent, David King, post-match.
Skipper Patrick Cripps wound back the clock, defying recent criticisms of his leadership and waning impact on a given contest to register 29 disposals, two goals, eight clearances and seven score involvements in a performance reminiscent of his match-wrecking prime.
Fraser was quick to commend Cripps for his performance, after a tumultuous week that saw his club move on its coach for the fourth time in the West Australian's time in the navy blue.
"He's been under a fair bit of pressure," Fraser said of the 31-year-old.
"A lot of commentary around 'Crippa', as there always is. He's just an incredibly impressive guy, the way he leads and the way he led tonight, the way he was able to execute his role but also organise and drive others to do so as well.
"He's had a great week. I mean, it's been a tough week for him, but the support he's given me, the way he's led the playing group, he's been outstanding."
The Blues rode the emotional momentum that their passionate home crowd generated to storm home against the undermanned Blues, dominating territory in the final quarter, winning the inside 50 count in the telling term, 19-4. Carlton kicked the first five majors of the term because of this, drawing the ire of Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.
“I think we only had it inside our 50 twice (for the quarter) with about five or six minutes to go,” Beveridge said.
“It seemed to be a clear difference in the way players were covering the ground and definitely a clear difference in the capacity to win the contest at ground level, in particular.
“Even though we were in front most of the night … it never felt like we were doing well enough to win it.
“Their endeavour was high. You could tell it was just a level above ours.
“That'll hurt the players all week.”
Carlton's next challenge comes in the form of a trip to Adelaide on Saturday, where the Power await.
