STRUGGLING Carlton believes it has won over long-suffering fans with their performances this season, with just one more piece of the puzzle to fall into place.
To actually win some games.
After six matches, the Blues have just one success to their name, a 44-point belting of Western Bulldogs a fortnight ago.
Either side of that triumph, there's a two-point heartbreaker against Gold Coast and Sunday's five-point capitulation to Hawthorn.
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The common denominator in every Blues outing this season is they've been in every contest in the last quarter.
Gut-runner Ed Curnow says that's transformed both Carlton players and fans into Blues believers.
"We're not trying to sell belief any more. The guys genuinely think we can win and we should be winning," he said.
"I would think so (that fans agree). The games we've lost have been really close.
"Actions are speaking for themselves at the moment."
BARRETT Another unwanted honourable loss
Curnow, who will play in his 150th game this weekend, knows those close results leave no room to hide on Sunday.
The Blues are likely to start favourites against down-and-out North Melbourne, and the goodwill will quickly dissipate if they can't get the four points.
"It's a game we're definitely going to want to win," Curnow said, describing the Kangaroos as no easy beats.
"They're going to come out with real strength and resolve behind their football. We'll prepare for that.
"They've got a really experienced wily defence with some older heads back there.
"Ben Brown is a headache up forward with (Jack) Ziebell in the middle.
"So, it's not going to be an easy task this weekend, it never is."
Ed Curnow goes absolute nuts after kicking this!#AFLHawksBlues pic.twitter.com/VcR8rHGGKO
— AFL (@AFL) April 28, 2019
Curnow said central to defeating the Kangaroos would be getting to the bottom of their crash against the Hawks.
The Blues led by 36 points but threw it away in the third term.
"That third quarter was really disappointing on the weekend. Hawthorn showed their experience," he said.
"It definitely hurt.
"If we look at the third quarter and work out how to stop their momentum, that will serve us well in the future.
"The wins are going to happen."