Respected journalist Mike Sheahan has lauded Carlton coach Brendon Bolton for his ability to improve every player on the Blues list.
They have won their past two games courtesy of gritty victories against Greater Western Sydney and the Gold Coast, with senior players Bryce Gibbs, Matthew Kreuzer and Sam Docherty in fine form.
“I think Bolton’s got them set up really well,” Sheahan said on SEN Breakfast.
“He’s turned reasonable players into very good players e.g. Kreuzer and Bryce Gibbs.
“(Gibbs) he wasn’t quite the player he should’ve been. His game on Saturday was brilliant.
“They have taken a quantum leap in my view, they’re significantly better players than ever before.”
Former St Kilda coach Tim Watson says the way Bolton has given his players specific roles to perform has allowed them to play balanced football.
“Specifically they’ve got roles in that group and I think that helps them understand exactly what it is the coach requires them to do and they go out there and they perform that specific task.
“I think they’re more balanced in the way they play and that’s because of the coaching and what he’s setting them to do.”
Garry Lyon says further proof of his work is his ability to revitalise the careers of players who have been seemingly out-of-favour at the club.
“Liam Jones – I know it’s early, but twice now, he kept Tom Lynch who many had as best player in the competition at the start of the year goalless,” he said.
“Dale Thomas, everyone in the footy world wrote Dale Thomas off, he’s back playing some reasonable footy.
“Blaine Boekhurst is a guy playing a role, Jed Lamb too.
“They are role players but you’ve got to improve your playing list from within. You can keep trading and drafting, but the sides that can actually take a quantum step improve from within.”