Garry Lyon believes Saturday night’s meeting with Port Adelaide is an opportune time for Carlton to “put their flag in the ground” and announce themselves as contenders.
The Blues’ ledger is even after four rounds, with the pressure of an 0-2 start tempered by wins over Fremantle and Gold Coast.
“Carlton have been promising plenty for some time,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.
“They’ve sold their club well, they continue to build an impressive, state-of-the-art enclave in the picturesque inner suburb, they’ve got record membership and they were the the buzz team of the summer.”
The Blues secured Adam Saad from Essendon and Zac Williams from GWS in the off-season, pairing them with emergent key position players and star midfielders Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.
“So it’s time to put up or shut up,” Lyon continued.
“(They’re) two and two after four weeks, losses to Richmond and Collingwood, wins over Freo and the Gold Coast. That is a pass mark, just.
“Is this what Carlton fans are going to endure again this year, a pass mark of a season?
“Or can they take a step towards higher honours by beating a contender on Saturday night?”
The Blues host the 2020 minor premiers, who reaffirmed their status as premiership contenders with a hard-nosed win over reigning premiers Richmond last Friday night.
Ken Hinkley’s men have won three of their four games, a capitulation to West Coast in Round 3 their only blip so far.
“Saturday night at the MCG against a Port Adelaide side that will need a map to find their way to the home of footy provides the perfect opportunity to put their flag in the ground,” Lyon asserted.
“(They’ve had) access to the best talent in the land, they’ve traded well, they’ve got high quality players into the side…
“Don’t just beat Gold Coast and Freo… beat a team that are contending, and that is Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday night, on the biggest stage.”
Lyon offered a benchmark for the Blues if they’re not to win, given the quality of the opposition.
“A high quality game that is representative of finals footy. Handle pressure, handle heat," the Demons great said.
“Don’t get seven goals behind, (kick) five goals in a row, come rattling home, lose by two and go hmm, not far away.
“Do something!”