INJURED defender Sam Docherty says the Blues’ young midfield cog will be one of the most exciting aspects of Carlton’s playing list in years to come.

With the Blues boasting names such as Zac Fisher, Paddy Dow, Lochie O’Brien and Sam Petrevski-Seton, alongside the likes of stars Patrick Cripps and Ed Curnow through the middle, Docherty said supporters would be buoyed by the long-term potential of the group. 

“It’s been tough but I see a group that is trying so hard to get better so quickly but there’s also just a level of inconsistency at the moment that comes with a young group,” Docherty said. 

“We’ve had a massive amount of minutes into the young guys. We saw this stat the other day at the Club and basically our starting midfield is Lochie O’Brien (first year), Paddy Dow (first year), Sam Petrevski-Seton (second year), Zac Fisher (second year), Matt Kennedy (third year) alongside 'Crippa' (Patrick Cripps) and Ed (Curnow) and that’s essentially our starting midfield at the moment. 

“So I guess that does give a level of understanding about the inconsistencies we’ve had this year but there’s a level of growth and perspective needed to see where that (midfield) group is going to go together and that in itself is very exciting.

“Zip and six is never the way you want to start a season and that’s not really what we expected when we came into the season so that has been a little bit disappointing but you do have to sit back and look and understand the level of growth that will occur with this young group and to see the future, and not what’s just happening now.”

Acting as an extension of the coaching panel while he recovers from an ACL injury, the All-Australian defender said the Blues were not accepting the losses in their weekly team reviews but were understanding of the inconsistencies with an inexperienced playing group. 

“There’s a certain level of perspective and then there’s the level of not accepting losing. In our reviews, there’s also an understanding about what’s happening and how it's happening but then there’s a level of not wanting to be known as the losing side. We’re not accepting losing and we’re doing reviews based around that,” Docherty said. 

“In terms of the inconsistencies at the moment, I guarantee you, I was like that in my first couple of years and I guarantee every AFL player was like that in their first few years too. 

“As supporters, you understand that and try not to get frustrated which has been the challenge… but there’s a level of perspective needed.

“But we still feel there’s plenty of positives to take out. We’ve seen the real emergence of Charlie Curnow who’s playing as one of our key forwards so he’s getting valuable experience on some of the best players in the league because most of the time those teams are sending their best player / defender to him.” 

Despite having not yet recorded a win in the 2018 season, the 24-year-old praised the ‘positive’ environment at Ikon Park that senior coach Brendon Bolton was driving alongside his coaching panel across the football program. 

“What the coaching staff and the Club more broadly has been so good at is keeping that positive vibe at the Club. It can be a very long year in footy if you spend the whole time being frustrated and annoyed, or having a lack of confidence or even not having fun at the footy club,” he said.

“The Club has really focused on making it an enjoyable environment and having fun together. This is a phase we’re going to have to get through together and that’s the only way out of it and that way, when the wins start coming it will be a lot more enjoyable.”