CARLTON defender Breann Moody explained the Blues’ loss against Brisbane on Saturday night as a result of feeling too relaxed following their win to GWS.

The Blues produced a flat performance at Ikon Park, succumbing to a 22-point defeat in what also their first-ever loss at home. 

“After such a tough week for everyone we probably just relaxed,” Moody told Carlton Media this week. 

“We were probably chasing the ball. We were a couple of seconds behind every stoppage. It’s given us a bit of a kick up the bum.”

“We will go into this round with a more challenging mindset and we will give the Bulldogs a good crack.”

Moody, who was named in Round 3’s best for Carlton, said she will still be looking to improve elements of her game.

“I was pretty disappointed after how I went against GWS so I’ve been talking to myself all week saying I want to go and have a good crack,” she said. 

“I think I definitely took a couple of good marks which I lacked in the first couple of rounds, but then again I probably didn’t get as many tackles or as many repeat efforts as I usually would like to.

“So there’s definitely positives but there’s always going to be things to work on too.” 

The Game Changers will see Damien Keeping return to his usual coaching role this week. Interim coach Nick Rutley has coached the side for the past two rounds while Keeping was sidelined with illness.

“He (Rutley) has been taking the forwards, so it was good to get to know him a bit more and get to see how he coaches. I do really enjoy working alongside ‘Ruts’,” Moody said. 

“He’s always able to find the positives out of every situation. No matter what went wrong, he can always build us back up with something which I think is pretty important.”

However, Moody thinks Keeping will be ready to take the coaching reins again.

“I think he will just be ready to get us back, get us back up on top with another four points. Though we appreciated what Ruts did, it’s good to be back to what we’re used to,” she said.

“I think [Keeping] is just going to have us focus on our strengths as opposed to what went wrong last round.” 

Saturday night’s game was the first without captain and key defender Bri Davey, after she ruptured her ACL during Round 2’s clash against GWS.

“[Her absence] was definitely felt. Bri was our best and fairest last year for a reason, and obviously being our captain too we lacked that (leadership) a little bit out on the field,” Moody said.

“Bri helped out a lot on game day and her presence is definitely not lacked around the club since she’s out. She’s just not on the field with us.

“But I don’t think that was what gave us the result that we got. I think there were a few different reasons.”

The Blues will also run out on VU Whitten Oval without half-forward Tayla Harris, who received a one-match ban for striking Brisbane’ s Leah Kaslar during Saturday’s match. 

“We’ve got a very strong team with and without those players. I don’t think any two or three players is what makes us and that is a very good advantage that we have,” Moody said.

“We’ve got players that are very versatile so will be able to fill multiple roles with multiple players. It might take us a little while to figure out which players are right for those positions but once we’ve got it we will be unstoppable.”

Carlton and the Bulldogs will be playing in the inaugural AFLW Pride Game on Friday night – an occasion Moody said she was proud to be involved in.

“I think it’s pretty special to be able to run out there with all of our teammates and feel as though we’re accepted for who we are,” she said. 

“We’re able to prove that we’re proud to the nation able to be role models for younger people. 

“I think it’s a pretty cool opportunity and even cooler to be the first ones doing it. I’m very excited to be playing in it and excited to be able to show everyone that I’m proud of who I am, the position I’m in, and to be running out with the girls that I’m with.

“I think it means a lot to [Blues and AFLW fans]. The AFL community is so diverse, so everyone should be proud of who they are and this is another way for us to express that and prove to people you can be who you want to be.” 

The last time the Game Changers played the Bulldogs was at home at Ikon Park. Carlton narrowly took out what was one of the highest-scoring matches of the 2017 season. Despite the win, Moody predicts the game will be a challenge.

“I think we will definitely be challenged. They’ve got some very good players that work very well together,” she said.

“But I don’t think it’s something we can’t match and overcome. It will be a pretty exciting game. I think we are pretty closely matched and we’re all up for the challenge. There’s a pretty good vibe around the locker rooms, so I think it will be a pretty fast-paced game.” 

Carlton will take on the Bulldogs on Friday night from 7.05pm AEDT at VU Whitten Oval.