AFTER a win over the Western Bulldogs on the weekend, the coaching staff can feel some confidence building within the team. 

The challenge will be backing it up this Sunday against Port Adelaide.

Stoppage coach John Barker was impressed with the performance the Blues dished out in the contest against the Bulldogs on Sunday evening. 

“I was really proud of the midfield group [on Sunday night]: the way they worked around congestion against the Bulldogs, whose last few games have been outstanding in that space,” Barker said. 

“I think we were super around the contest and we have been good around the contest, but we made the most of it.”

While the shake-up of hub life has provided some uncertainty, the Blues are focusing on their consistency as well as building their synergy within the team. 

Training is completed in groups of eight, with one full-team training a week: Barker suggested this is creating greater connection between close-knit teammates. 

“It’s funny in those small groups as a midfield group or as a forwards group, the connection and the connectivity within those groups is growing,” he said. 

“Our approach has really been about enjoying the time together, becoming a stronger group as a unit and doing what we can both on and off the field.”

Carlton is sticking to its plan of continuously improving within games, looking to build more confidence and consistency in an unprecedented season. 

“We feel like we’re starting to play the game our way,” he said. 

“We played with a little bit more freedom with ball in hand [against the Bulldogs] which is the way we really want to play.

“We’re about just trying to continuously get better, whether we’re 10th or eighth or fourth — our progression is what’s most important to us.”