THERE was a lot to like about Carlton’s 10-point winover the Bulldogs on Sunday, but Marc Murphy thinks the Blues’ ability to hold-offa late charge was the most noteworthy aspect of the performance.

A 25-point buffer at the start of the lastquarter was sliced to just two points when Peter Street kicked a goal with sixminutes remaining and the Blues’ young gun reckons the determination shown byhis teammates to hang on and snare their third win could prove pivotal.

“It’s definitely something we can build onand take something out of,” Murphy said.

“In recent weeks not everyone’s beenworking together as closely as what we did [on Sunday]. We can take a lot outof that and see how good it is when we play together.

“We’ve been challenged after being in thegame for a lot of the time recently and haven’t been able to hold up and get awin so to hold off a quality side like the Western Bulldogs was prettyspecial.”

Murphy admits it has been a steep learningcurve since the departure of Nick Stevens left him to deal with theopposition’s No.1 tagger each week and coach Denis Pagan played him in aforward pocket for a good portion of Sunday’s match to try and shake his tag.

The move paid immediate dividends as Murphyslotted the last goal of the game to see off the Dogs’ comeback attempt, buthe’s still not completely sold on the idea.

“I’d prefer to be in the midfield, but whenyou kick two goals and play in a winning team, it doesn’t bother me where Iplay,” he said smiling.

“I’ve kicked 2.7 this year and kicked 2.1today which is pretty good and to kick one in the last five minutes was prettyhandy as well.

“I’d been working on a new kicking styleduring the week, so that came in pretty handy and luckily it went straightthrough the middle. I’ve been working with Terry Daniher after training onWednesdays and Fridays on a new technique so that when I get into those sortsof pressure situations I can keep the crowd out of my head and kick straight.”