May 26, 2026 — 5:30amCarlton remains a major work in progress, but what interim coach Josh Fraser has been able to do is unlock – or rediscover – the best football from six of the team’s key generals.The mental boulder the Blues appeared to be crushed under in the final month of Michael Voss’ reign has lifted, Fraser allowing his men to embrace a game featuring dash and quick movement from behind the ball, the Blues running in waves and with purpose against Port Adelaide – a sight too often lacking in what had been a contest-driven gameplan.Carlton’s Jagga Smith and Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis battle for possession on Saturday night.AFL PhotosThere has been a spring in the Blues’ step over the past fortnight, culminating in wins over the Western Bulldogs and the Power.Remember, they had just one victory to that point, and appeared destined for a bottom-two finish.Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane noted over the weekend the Blues are “playing with freedom and spark”, declaring: “I think having a new coach has freed them up.”Here are the six men leading the way ahead of a major test against Geelong on Friday night.Patrick Cripps of the Blues leads his team out.Getty ImagesThe veteran skipper had largely been a shadow of his great self this season, sparking public debate he should consider a trade. He had averaged 24.9 touches per game through until round nine; the past fortnight that has lifted to 30.5. Contested possessions, clearances and score involvements have jumped, while he has three goals in his past two games, having had only four to that point. Just as importantly, the smile has returned.AFL great James Hird noted on Nine’s Footy Furnace: “He just seems to be moving better, seems to be getting out of the stoppage better. He can have stats, but not have the effect he has had over the last two weeks.”Fraser said the Blues wanted to lift a cape of responsibility from Cripps which had seemed more like a cement sheet.“Maybe Cripps doesn’t feel like he has to carry the burden of everything and everyone and every problem on the field,” Fraser said.“We have tried to set him up to be really good at what he is good at. So his contest work has been elite, his leadership on field has been fantastic, he is making others around him better.”Smith was already enjoying an encouraging season, particularly after missing the entire 2025 campaign because of a knee reconstruction. But there has been freedom to his game over the past fortnight, the slick ball-winner having 25 disposals against the Western Bulldogs, and 27 against the Power, initially lining up on Zak Butters.He is spending more time in the midfield, this week becoming the sixth-youngest player to record 15 or more score involvements and four or more score assists in a game.Fraser said Smith had also “assumed some leadership in effectively his first year of football”.Hird summed it up best: “Jagga Smith – he continues to show why everybody is so excited at Carlton about his style of football.”The midfield hard-nut fell out of favour with Voss, the industry view being the Blues could not play both he and Cripps, the skipper at that point struggling for fluency.Hewett returned for what turned out to be Voss’ final game – against Brisbane – and was solid against the Western Bulldogs. But he was back to his “elite” best against the Power, according to Sloane, with 26 touches and four clearances in only 71 per cent game time.The former Swan has had a strong season, averaging 22.5 disposals per game, but has really found his groove under Fraser, lifting his output and providing the run and drive through uncontested possessions.The Blues are looking to use the corridor more, and Florent is benefiting from this.“That’s been part of our game we are trying to evolve for most of the season, to be honest. Sometimes, these things can take time,” Fraser said.Walsh hasn’t had trouble finding the ball all season, and has maintained a heavy use of creative handball, 17 of his 25 touches against the Western Bulldogs going by hand, and 18 of his 28 against the Power also handballs.He also had a season-high 23 uncontested possessions, and eight score involvements – his second most for the year. This included a lovely first-term goal which helped maintain the Blues’ momentum.Under Fraser, he is moving as well as he has all season. His top form has also had a flow-on impact.Busy man: Sam Walsh has been a driving force for the Blues in their rebirth over of the past fortnight.Getty Images“Our experienced players playing good football at the moment, allows our youth to come into the team and play with some freedom,” Fraser said.The former Swan has been busy inside attacking 50m, and is a key marking option, as he showed with a strong grab over Aliir Aliir on Saturday night.His long third-term goal was crucial.He was also prepared to do the grunt work, having a season-high five tackles.Hayward can also push up the ground, giving Harry McKay the opportunity to work in space.From our partners