FOUND a way to win.

It wasn’t always pretty, but a five-point win ensured Carlton kept its momentum rolling heading into the bye after the King’s Birthday Eve triumph over Essendon.

Having to come back from 23 points down against a spirited Essendon outfit, the Blues hit the front early in the last quarter and held strong against the arch rival to make it four consecutive victories.

Here’s what Interim Coach Josh Fraser had to say.

On how the game played out:

“It was probably the start we expected: all credit to Essendon and the way they set the game up, the spirit in which they played. It wasn’t unexpected from our end. It’s another challenge for us and great learning in how to handle those occasions. I didn’t think we played particularly well tonight, and again, all credit to Essendon with the pressure they applied.

“We were able to hang in long enough and take some important moments in the second half. We challenged ourselves around work rate at half time, and our midfield getting to work a bit more. It looked a bit better in the second half.”

On what needed to change after a slow start:

“We were a bit frustrated in the box with how we were moving the ball inside 50. I think it’s an area of the game we’ve got a fair bit of work to keep doing. It looked better after half time and we were able to bypass a lot of their numbers at different stages to get some cleaner looks heading inside 50. Our forwards got to work a bit more.

“There’s a template for what it looks like when we’re at our best, but that’s an area we’ve got more to do in.”

On how the midfield battle changed in the second half:

“Some of the method around stoppage, we weren’t loving. Leigh Adams has done a great job with our midfield, and again tonight, the way he controlled that part of the game and made adjustments… we sent Hewett to Durham in the second half which had an impact.

“It was largely around our method and making sure our starting points were strong. We coughed the ball up a lot in the first half, we had to tidy that up. Credit to the players: they were met with some challenges, we challenged them at half time and they responded. That’s another sign of us moving forward.”

On not taking opportunities in the first half:

“From the transition aspect, our fundamentals and execution wasn’t at the level we would expect. That made it hard, it fed their game at different stages. We set the field up reasonably well and had options to move the ball, but we weren’t as clean as we would’ve liked.

“In the second half, we were able to make a few adjustments and we got more reward for effort moving the ball inside 50. That’s another part of the game we need to become more consistent at.”

On winning four consecutive games:

“I haven’t stopped to think too much about it. I said when this opportunity arose that we were going to be very process-driven around what our Monday-Friday looks like, and give ourselves the best chance to perform on the weekend. We’ve seen some big growth, but we’re aware we’ve got a long way to go.

“I haven’t looked too far ahead and I haven’t stopped to reflect too much, other than what learnings we can take forward and how we get to work. I’m proud of the group with the inroads we’ve made. We just had a team meeting then: we’re all really aware that we have work to do and we’re not a finished product.”

On what recent weeks have done for the group:

“It’s lifted morale, winning does that. But there’s a process attached to it. I’d like to think we’re not fluking results: there’s a consistent approach to the way we’re playing and being able to win different ways. That’s what tonight presented.

“I can’t heap enough praise on Essendon with the way they attacked the game and the pressure they brought: it challenged us in different ways. We were able to manage that over the course of the game. It’s important to learn how to win, and also manage winning and the expectation that comes with that. That’s what we’re learning to do.”

On Harry McKay’s performance, playing against his brother for the second time:

“What I know about Harry is he’s had some really big moments for us - it’s easy to say in the last month, because we’ve got results, but his game has been threatening to open up for a while. Going into the ruck has helped him, he looks more than competent in there and he’s able to give ‘Pitto’ some rest who has carried a big load for us.

“Harry’s aerial presence, his ability to kick goals, being able to go into the ruck - his game looks more rounded. He’s another experienced player that we’ll challenge to keep getting better and find ways to improve. His game tonight was really important, and he’s leading - he’s making others around him better.”

On further emergence of youth:

“Really exciting. It’s been so important that we’ve had experienced players leading and playing well, so our inexperienced youth can come into the team and play roles. Their development has been really exciting. The best part about them is their resilience in games, where it might not be clicking for them straight away but they’re having really important moments.

“They’re all very team-oriented and they’ve got a want and appetite to bring pressure and energise their teammates. The break has come at a good time for our young guys, and we expect them to bounce into the Club when we return and keep getting better.”

On what the bye represents for the Club:

“We spoke in there about how we handle the break, and it’s important that the players get away to recharge and refresh. They’ll go about that in a really professional manner. It’s an opportunity for them to be better prepared for when they come back to the Club, and it’s also a chance for our staff to refresh.

“Our coaching group, our high performance team, our footy department more broadly have done a power of work and they deserve to get a few days back. It’s important we handle this break well. There’s a level of trust that we will, and when we return to the Club we’ll be energised to get working again.”

On VFL performances:

“There’s guys pressing for selection. We’re trying some players in different roles and trying to find different avenues for players to come back into the team. The pleasing thing is the players in the AFL side are holding up their end of the bargain and playing well.

“The challenge for guys playing at VFL level is to continue to perform well on the weekend, and also train incredibly well. That’s another way to perform, we’re driving our training standards as hard as we are on game day.”

On Sam Walsh:

“His shoulder has been a bit grumbly, he’ll appreciate a couple of days to recharge but he came back onto the field. He’s tough as nails and had a terrific start to the season for us, he’s led the way beautifully. This time of year, most players are carrying some soreness - he’s okay.”