Reasons to celebrate have been few and far between for the Blues this year, but their win over Gold Coast on Saturday night gave them reason to have some fun.
Carlton captain Marc Murphy reveals the boys, the coaches and their partners – who came up with them to the Gold Coast – enjoyed a few quiet drinks after the win.
“We did (celebrate). I think these days, it can be a real grind if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing,” Murphy told the AFL Nation pregame show.
“I think last night we played a good brand of footy against a side who’s been going pretty well of late, we did enjoy each other’s company after the game which is why you play footy, to share in that with your teammates and enjoy yourselves after the game.
“It was good that we all got together with the coaches and family members and had a few drinks together which was good.
“We key it low key and stayed at the hotel and kept each other’s company, which is what footy is about.”
Top five draft pick Paddy Dow starred for the Blues, kicking two goals and showing some glimpses of magic and Murphy loves what the youngster is producing.
“Dow certainly played one of his better games for the year and he looked really composed and showed the power that he does have, being able to burn someone off and kick a really important goal for us,” he said.
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— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 28, 2018
The Blues kicked seven third quarter goals to blow the game open and Murphy believes it was a culmination of everything they’ve been trying to do this season.
“The third quarter, it was the footy that we’ve been trying to play all year, with free-flowing football and everyone backing themselves in,” he said.
“That third quarter was really enjoyable and for the guys to keep cracking in after was good and we saw some really good signs from a lot of our younger guys.”
Carlton will host GWS at Etihad Stadium next Sunday afternoon.