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It\u2019s the latest feat in Carlton\u2019s near-unfathomable resurrection from a 1-8 basketcase to a September-quality force. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Watch every match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n The Blues changerooms were abuzz post-game as family and friends passionately joined in singing the team song. <\/p>\n Players were beside themselves, smiling from ear to ear with the reality sinking in that this isn\u2019t merely a fringe wildcard outfit, but a reckonable finals unit. <\/p>\n \u201cMate, I\u2019m just soaking it all up, at the minute,\u201d gun Blues recruit Ollie Florent told Foxfooty.com.au on Saturday night. <\/p>\n \u201cA very special club, very special feeling. I\u2019m just so proud of the boys, having grit until the end. <\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t the prettiest of football, but I think we won in a way that\u2019s not pretty, so we\u2019re very happy with that.\u201d<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t straightforward for Fraser\u2019s charges, who were forced to absorb an early Melbourne blow before stamping their imprint on the game. <\/p>\n And while the Demons were well aware of the Blues\u2019 uncontested game going into the fixture, as it went on, it looked more and more like a Carlton game, with the \u2018away\u2019 side ultimately winning disposals by 98, marks by 56, and uncontested possessions by 68. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ve got multiple ways of winning. We don\u2019t have just one way. We can go around you, go through you, go contest,\u201d Florent said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe really, truly believe that, and whatever the game gives us, we\u2019ll take. <\/p>\n \u201cWe want to take it on; we want to be fast, be brave \u2014 I think that suits me really well.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n But while Carlton\u2019s 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\u2019re meant to be. <\/p>\n \u201c\u2018We belong here\u2019,\u201d Florent said when asked what Fraser\u2019s messaging was to the players in the second half. <\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a really good test for this group, mentally, to really believe that we can do some damage in September, and just embracing everything. <\/p>\n \u201cEmbracing every moment, not dwelling on the past. It\u2019s very simple messaging, but it really touches us; our group.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/p>\n BLUES PLAYER RATINGS: \u2018Hero\u2019 18yo headlines Blues silencing act; \u2018young king\u2019 hits new heights<\/a><\/p>\n