“IT’S BEEN talked about all year. In certain moments, you need your leaders to stand up.”

That was exactly what Patrick Cripps did for Carlton on Saturday night against the Western Bulldogs.

After an emotional seven days which saw the Blues part ways with Michael Voss, a seven-game losing streak was snapped with a spirited performance in front of a raucous Carlton crowd at Marvel Stadium.

Carlton had contributors right across the board, with showings from youngsters Matthew Carroll, Lachie Cowan and Jack Ison complemented by the leadership of Cripps, Ollie Florent and Will Hayward in the come-from-behind win.

The Blues had large parts of their game on their terms, but still trailed at every change, including having an eight-point deficit to overcome at three-quarter time: what ensued was a five-goal blitz from the Blues, starting with Cripps out of the middle.

“I’m proud of the boys, it’s been a big emotional week,” Cripps told FOX Footy post-game.

“What I’m proud of is the energy we created throughout the week. We felt the emotion of it and everyone felt it in different ways, but when we came in and trained the next day, we got back to work.

“No team is going to feel sorry for us, we’ve got to come out and compete. Over the course of the year we’ve played patches of games - some good footy but also some really poor footy - so it was just nice to finish off a game full of run.”

Cripps was at his industrious best to close out the game, collecting 13 disposals, eight contested possessions and five clearances in the last term alone on a night where he also kicked two goals.

The captain spoke about the Blues going back to their trademark “blue collar acts”, with Interim Coach Josh Fraser highlighting the team’s need for pressure at the coalface when the going got tough.

It wasn’t the prettiest of AFL games (not for three quarters at least), but given the win column had an uptick, Cripps said it was the responsibility of all at Carlton to continue to front up for the football club.

“When you play AFL footy, there’s a duty to prepare and want to get the best out of yourself and the team.

“It was nice to gain momentum in the last. I liked the way we went at the game: I know we were behind [at three-quarter time], but when you’re in front you’ve still got to go at the game.

“They’re the lessons we’re learning, and it was good to put it to work [on Saturday night].”