IT HASN’T exactly been the most perfect of starts to a season for popular clubman Lance Whitnall. The Blues skipper has endured a rugged beginning to his new leadership role – on and off the playing arena.

The tardy start, however, has not caused him to lose perspective. He remains determined to improve as player – and as captain. He can see the improvements in his team and the rewards will come in the long term.

Meanwhile though, the Blues’ inexperience may at times prove costly.

“We are such a young group and we haven’t got a lot of experience, so we are going to make those little mistakes that might cost us the game or cost us a goal,” Whitnall told carltonfc.com.au.

“But we just have to learn from those mistakes and make sure the same people aren’t doing the same mistakes over and over again.

“Run, risk, reward … that’s what we’re trying to do. We take a risk and we might make a few mistakes along the way, but we still take risks to try and win. And that is what we are all about.”

Attracting early-season attention from the media for his off-field family dramas, Whitnall received little respite on the field.

The 27-year-old reaped 24 possessions and a goal from his opening three matches.

“It seems to be the case at the start of most years. They (the media) need something to talk about and I seem to generally be the topic,” he said.

“Yeah, it was a slow start for me. But the last couple of weeks I’ve really got into it and I’m starting to pick up my form which is good.”

In the past three outings against West Coast, Brisbane and St Kilda, Whitnall has gathered 54 possessions and six goals.

“I knew that if I just did all the hard work it would turn around,” he said.

“It has happened plenty of times before where I haven’t played well and they have been getting into me but I just work hard to turn it around.”

“Hopefully I can continue the rise and I can continue with my form and we can hopefully win our next couple of games and get amongst it and in the eight where we want to be.”

“I just want to lead the boys well, put in 100 per cent effort 100 per cent of the time.

“And that is what we ask of the group, to really give an effort 100 per cent of the time.”

Away from the field, Whitnall loves nothing better than relaxing wearing his trusty “tracky dacks”.

If you see Whitnall in a suit, take a photo and post it for sale on e-bay; you should fetch a good price for such a rare photo.

“I’m a tracksuit pants and t-shirt man. It’s the way I’ve grown up; I very rarely get dressed up,” he admitted.

While the penguin suit is mostly off limits; tennis, basketball, golf and cricket shorts are more than acceptable clothing alternatives for the self-confessed sports fanatic.

He represented Victoria in cricket as a junior, but decided to follow in the footsteps of his father Graeme and pursue a career with the Blues.

Graeme Whitnall played 66 games and kicked 20 goals for Carlton from 1974-79 and 1981.

“It was about the age of 15 or 16 that I made the decision to play footy,” he said. “I just loved footy and I’m glad I made the decision.”