"We need to go back to our contest and defence a little bit more, make sure that pressures high so that we can play the game that we want to play offensively."

Reflecting back on the clash against North Melbourne on Saturday, stand in captain Mimi Hill had key take aways on the team's performance. 

Hill spoke to Carlton Media post-match, breaking down the game.

"We probably didn't start the way we wanted to, we just fed into their hands a little bit, we didn't get our hands on the ball much, but I'm really proud of the way we fought back in that second quarter, it looked a lot more like Carlton football which is nice," she said.

"Their just such a strong team so it was nice to get the challenge, but were pretty hungry to play them again hopefully in finals and see what we can do that time."

"They just have handball receive options, their lining up from their back half so I think we probably need to defend that a little bit better, because once they get one it's just so hard to defend, they just put it on a platter for their forwards so it's really hard for our backs to defend. That pressure up the ground, so it's not really hard for our backs, but I think there were still some good passages in there, we managed to move the ball pretty well."

In both a mentally and physically challenging game, first year players Poppy Scholz and Sophie McKay stepped up to the plate, producing a goal each. Poppy drafted as a back liner, was moved into the forward line for Round 6 which seemingly payed off. 

"I think throwing Poppy forward was a bit of a master stroke from Bucky, she's just such a good marking option, so love seeing her get a goal and then Soph got one as well so that was nice," she said.

Despite facing the reigning premieres, the Blues kept their drive throughout the game to find a few silver linings in their performance. 

Hill led the Blues with 24 disposals, 16 handballs and seven tackles. 

"Lot of handballs, that just shows how high the heat was, but happy that I stood up," she said about her performance. 

"The way were able to fight back, not be concerned that they were up on the score boards just play our way, and a few times it did stand up and lead to goals, so it was pretty cool."