CAPTAIN Marc Murphy says talk of a rebuild at Carlton is not having an impact on the players as the Blues continue their miserable start to the season.
After losing to a previously winless Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, the spotlight has turned squarely on Carlton, which has notched just one win this season.
Club president Mark LoGiudice has already stated the Blues are in a rebuilding phase, with Murphy and fellow No.1 pick Bryce Gibbs being suggested as possible trades at the end of the season.
Saying that many players had endured a sleepless night on Sunday after the Lions defeat, Murphy denied the speculation of another list overhaul had affected the players.
"The playing group as a whole isn't focused on rebuilding, we can't draft anyone in at the moment or get some other players in," he said on Monday.
"We've got the list here that I believe in, and the group that's worked really hard over the pre-season.
"Unfortunately at the moment it's not happening for us, but we can try to change it around by working hard and working hard together, and that's the only way we're going to get out of it."
LoGiudice's comments came after the Blues' round two loss to West Coast, where they were thrashed by 69 points.
Murphy didn't say whether the senior players were surprised by the president's words so early in the season, but threw his support behind the Blues list.
"The way in which we played against West Coast, I think everyone was pretty frustrated with what happened then. But the rebuild, from a player's point of view, it doesn't really register with the players," he said.
"We've got a lot of good young players here who I believe can be 10-year players at the footy club. It doesn't faze me whatsoever."
Gibbs also fronted the media, noting his five-year commitment to Carlton last season and Murphy's four-year deal (which expires at the end of 2018) highlighted the pair's desire to be with the Blues for the long haul.
"I think that showed where we want to be, and I don't think the club would have signed us up if they knew we didn't want to be here," he said.
Murphy and Gibbs were criticised for their struggles in the final term against the Lions as they surged towards victory, and the 26-year-old admitted the leaders needed to step up when it mattered.
"It wasn't a great last quarter for probably both of us, but I think the effort was really there. When the game's on the line we want to be the ones stepping up and doing the best we can, and we know we've got a bit of work to do there," Gibbs said.
Low in confidence and with speculation surrounding coach Mick Malthouse's future, Murphy said the club could take some hope from Richmond's turnaround last season, when the Tigers slipped to 3-10 before making the finals.
"We're only six games in. I know we haven't started anywhere near as well as what we would have liked, but we're focused on working with Mick and I want to see Mick coach this footy club for many more years yet," he said.
"Every club goes through tough times, we're going through one of those tough times at the moment, and I think it's a real sign of who wants to rally around together. I know I certainly do and I know there's a lot of boys who want to as well."