“We belong here.”

That’s the internal messaging at Carlton now. And it’s a scary statement to the rest of the competition.

Because after a captivating three-quarter arm wrestle with Melbourne on Saturday night, the Blues willed themselves home to, remarkably, cement a landmark finals win under Josh Fraser.

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It’s the latest feat in Carlton’s near-unfathomable resurrection from a 1-8 basketcase to a September-quality force.

And they did it as the 10-seed, no less, knocking off the seventh-placed Demons to set up an elimination final date with Geelong back at the MCG.

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The Blues changerooms were abuzz post-game as family and friends passionately joined in singing the team song.

Players were beside themselves, smiling from ear to ear with the reality sinking in that this isn’t merely a fringe wildcard outfit, but a reckonable finals unit.

“Mate, I’m just soaking it all up, at the minute,” gun Blues recruit Ollie Florent told Foxfooty.com.au on Saturday night.

“A very special club, very special feeling. I’m just so proud of the boys, having grit until the end.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of football, but I think we won in a way that’s not pretty, so we’re very happy with that.”

It wasn’t straightforward for Fraser’s charges, who were forced to absorb an early Melbourne blow before stamping their imprint on the game.

And while the Demons were well aware of the Blues’ uncontested game going into the fixture, as it went on, it looked more and more like a Carlton game, with the ‘away’ side ultimately winning disposals by 98, marks by 56, and uncontested possessions by 68.

The Blues had a greater hunger for the footy at contest, too, winning that battle by 24 and repeatedly getting the footy from inside to out.

“I think we’ve got multiple ways of winning. We don’t have just one way. We can go around you, go through you, go contest,” Florent said.

“We really, truly believe that, and whatever the game gives us, we’ll take.

“We want to take it on; we want to be fast, be brave — I think that suits me really well.”

Jacob Weitering, Mitch McGovern, Marc Pittonet and Lachlan Cowan of the Blues celebrates on the siren during the 2026 AFL First Wildcard Final between the Melbourne Demons and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 29, 2026 (Photo by James Wiltshire via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

But while Carlton’s Fraser-ingrained brand is daunting enough in its own right, what might be scariest about these Blues is that they genuinely have the internal belief this is where they’re meant to be.

“‘We belong here’,” Florent said when asked what Fraser’s messaging was to the players in the second half.

“I think it’s a really good test for this group, mentally, to really believe that we can do some damage in September, and just embracing everything.

“Embracing every moment, not dwelling on the past. It’s very simple messaging, but it really touches us; our group.”

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It’s hard to believe this is Florent’s first year at Princes Park since arriving as a trade recruit last October, such is his composure and sound decision-making with the footy off half-back.

But he and the rest of the playing group have been through the wringer this year, with the 28-year-old calling the season “a rollercoaster”.

“I think football is always going to be like that,” he said. “There’s always highs, always lows, but just staying really consistent to who you are, what you bring; your strengths.

“Come in with a good attitude to get better every day. We don’t get stuck in the outcomes.

“We’ve been a good group for the whole year, and we’ve truly believed that we can be in this position that we are now.”

A big smile spread across Florent’s face when he was asked about the things he loves most about his Carlton teammates.

Talor Byrne, Sam Walsh, Blake Acres, Matthew Cottrell and Harry McKay of the Blues sing the song in the rooms after winning the AFL Wildcard Final match between Melbourne Demons and Carlton Blues and Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on August 29, 2026 (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“Oh, man, how long have you got?” he began.

“I love the spirit we show, I love the little celebrations we do to get over to our teammates, I love how we pick everyone up off the ground, I love the little blocks in the air that we do.

“I think the spirit of this group is second-to-none at the minute, and we truly believe in what we’re capable of.”

The Sandringham Dragons product, who’s been to two grand finals with Sydney in 2022 and 2024, is adamant the Blues have more to give in September.

“To be honest … it’s probably high for the external, but I’m not done. The group isn’t done,” he said.

“We’re not too high at the minute; we’ve won one final. We’ve got four more to go.

“This certainly is a good energy, but we’re not finished.”

Florent is also well-enamoured with the Blues’ raucous home crowd.

“So special, mate, I can’t even put it into words,” he said of the fans’ impact.

“The kick you get from the crowd and the energy they bring, and the excitement they get from seeing us do our job out there is electrifying.

“It’s definitely an advantage to us; I certainly feel like I’m moving quicker on the ground.

“We love our fans … they’re going to stick fat no matter what.”