Carlton’s five-point win over Essendon was hardly one for the history books, especially in that first half for Josh Fraser’s side.

The Blues were second-best, and by a long way, as the midfield was overwhelmed by the Bombers, and they were down by 14 points at the main break, but the margin felt bigger.

Carlton got to work in the second half, kicking seven goals to four, to take care of Dean Solomon’s Bombers, but only just, to make it four wins in a row, and now the push for finals is as real as it’s ever been.

But that first half will worry Carlton fans. If Essendon can tear through them with ease, what will the better sides in the competition be able to do? So, there’s plenty of work to be done.

MORE: Carlton fans will love Josh Fraser’s comment as finals push continues

And for midfielder Jagga Smith, who was part of the midfield that got torched, he revealed what Fraser’s messaging was to the group at half-time via AFL Nation.

“His message was it was completely not good enough, I thought that was definitely fair enough,” Smith said. “It was on me, all the midfielders, I think that’s a credit to us as a side that we responded and didn’t go in our shells.

“You’re not going to beat anyone if you play two quarters of footy at the top level.”

Blues now in thick of finals action

Carlton certainly has the feel-good vibes flowing, but Smith, after taking the half-time spray on the chin, knows that the Blues have a long way to go before they are seen as worthy of a finals spot.

Fraser even stated post-game that the Blues ” aren’t the finished product yet,” and he’s right. 

That first half will be what the review is all about for Carlton, because had that been against a top team in the competition, there is a good chance the Blues would have gotten blown off the MCG.

But that is part and parcel of the game. You aren’t going to be dominant every week, or even every quarter, so when the opposition has the momentum, you have to be able to halt it.

So, there will be plenty to learn from this game from a Carlton perspective.

And one overriding thought should be reverberating around the facility for the Blues — that first half against Essendon was nowhere near good enough.