IF last night’s JLT Community Series opener is anything to go by, Carlton has a clear focus on spreading the midfield load in 2019.

While Patrick Cripps once again played a starring role at the coalface, it was the work of his younger teammates which had Blues fans excited about what could come this year and beyond.

Zac Fisher was one of those players who shone at Ikon Park, recording 26 disposals and four tackles in the nine-point win.

Speaking to media at Carlton’s Community Camp today, Fisher said there had been a big focus on establishing some strength in numbers, starting with last night’s “exciting” win.

“It’s always good to win the first one and I thought it was a good, consistent performance from all,” Fisher said.

“As a midfield group, we took a lot of pressure off ‘Crippa’, who still had a good game himself.

“The likes of Walsh, Dow, ‘Samo’, Cuningham just to say a few all took the load off of him. They were good signs.”

The Blues added to its midfield depth over the off-season with some key acquisitions, and Will Setterfield and Sam Walsh last night showed their immediate and future potential.

The zippy midfielder said the way to get the best out of co-captain Cripps was through a deep pool of midfielders making an impact, as shown in bursts last night.

“It hasn’t been a team focus, but we enjoy playing with ‘Crippa’ and we want to help him out as much as possible,” he said.

“As a team and as a midfield group, we want to share that load together.”

After a breakthrough year in 2018, Fisher believes there’s still a lot of development in his game as he prepares for his third year in the Navy Blue.

He said last night could provide a handy stepping stone for the collective, with the season opener now 20 days away.

“We want improvement every year, another year and another pre-season into our midfielders and our group will help us gain fitness,” he said.

“As you could see last night, it was a consistent performance around the midfield group so I’m confident [of improvement].”