AN EVOLUTION, rather than a complete change.

Interim Coach Josh Fraser said Carlton is building belief around its best football ahead of taking on the "benchmark" of the competition in Geelong on Friday night.

Leading into the Blues' 2026 AFL Carlton Respects Game, here's what Fraser had to say.

On the feeling around IKON Park after consecutive wins:

“There’s a good feeling amongst the group, I think everyone is looking forward to getting out into training and preparing for the Cats. We’re building belief around what our best football looks like: we’ve had a good couple of weeks in terms of our Monday to Friday with our preparation.

“Winning does create a slightly different feel to what your week looks like, but the way they’ve attacked the process of the week has been pretty consistent. They’re in a good space and we’re excited about Friday night’s challenge.”

On what has changed in recent weeks:

“I’ve had that question a little bit. I like to think we’ve evolved more than we’ve changed. When you evolve, there are natural changes with what you do, but there’s been a strong foundation built.

“We’ve been able to consider what that looks like moving forward: some of the changes have been game day, some of it has happened Monday to Friday with where we’re putting our energy and where we’re educating. It’s evolving. We’ve got a lot more steps in front of us, but there have been encouraging signs so far.”

On what winning provides for a new group:

“It’s clearly important, and I think they go hand in hand when it comes to developing your system and your players, as well as being in the position to win games. They’re not exclusive to one another.

“The energy the younger guys have brought into the team, the way they were able to execute their roles - they’ve been well set up through our VFL and development programs, which is exciting. We want to keep providing those opportunities and keep putting ourselves in winning positions.”

On the 2026 AFL Carlton Respects Game:

“It’s fantastic. The 10-year anniversary of the Club’s involvement with Carlton Respects: while Friday night’s game is going to be a big occasion, it’s our opportunity to put the conversation around violence against women up in lights. It’s a conversation that should be happening regularly.

“It’s our chance as a football club to put it to the forefront, and I know our Club and playing group are excited to be able to drive that message. It’s something on the calendar that as a club, we look forward to bringing to the forefront.

“As a football club, we’re in a privileged position to play in a big game on Friday night and raise awareness towards violence against women. To see the way the Club has evolved this, as an Interim Coach standing here, I’m proud of that.”

On Jacob Weitering’s availability:

“He’ll train today and we’re hoping he’ll be okay to put his hand up. He trained on Saturday whilst we were in Adelaide and got through the session well. We’re hopeful he’ll get through today.

“They’ve got some big forwards, he’s important to us - not only his performances but also his leadership. We’ll consider what that looks like post-training.”

On Harry Dean’s performance last week:

“I’m not sure Harry is getting enough credit externally, I think he’s been outstanding. He had a big job last week, he’s had a big job most weeks and he’s doing a terrific amount of work for us. He plays with a maturity above his age, he brings a competitive edge to what we’re doing on-field.

“I’ve loved the start to his career, I think Carlton supporters should be pretty excited about the way his career is going to unfold.”

On the strengths the Cats possess:

“At their best, their ability to get speed on the ball… they’ve got elite runners, guys that can get back and support defence as well as kickstart their ball movement. We’ve got to be really mindful of what their best players can do to us, and balance that with not getting pulled apart ourselves with what we’re trying to achieve.

“Over a long period of time, they’ve been the benchmark of the competition and Friday night presents a great challenge for us to put our brand of football on show and stay connected against a team that can do different things to you.”

On balancing returning experience with blooding youth:

“It’s more of the same in terms of it being a considered approach. We consider what our best mix looks like and consider the players that have been in good form - not only those performing on game day in the AFL and VFL, but also in training and what that looks like.

“It was exciting to bring players in last week and have them stand up. Post-training today, we’ll get the chance to discuss all that.”