CARLTON is hurting after its worst start to a VFL/AFL season, having begun 0-6, but coach Brendon Bolton is pleading with supporters to remember this is the club's first-ever rebuild.
Never in 122 years of League history have the Blues commenced a year in such dire fashion, with Friday night's 21-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium consigning them to that unwanted record.
"We feel their frustration. It hurts when we lose," Bolton said after the game.
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"We know that this hasn't happened in the club's history, but I suppose it's the first time in the club's history it's genuinely done a rebuild, that it's focused on a full-blown rebuild.
"It hurts. Players hurt. Coaches hurt. I'm sure our supporters hurt when you haven't got a win on the board yet. We're going to work incredibly hard but it is the first time in history too that we have had a genuine rebuild."
The Blues face an unenviable stretch with captain Marc Murphy (left foot) still on the sidelines, although Bolton is "really hopeful" brave ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (groin) and young defender Jacob Weitering (thigh) will be available next Saturday night for the clash against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
After that, Essendon, Melbourne, Geelong and Sydney await.
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It's little wonder Bolton set such a lowly goal for his side.
"We're hoping (the turning point is) as soon as possible. We're there to win every game," Bolton said.
"Hopefully by the halfway mark, we have got a win or two.
"I'm not going to put a figure on it just now. Here's some simple fact for you. Three years ago, when we started the rebuild, we were averaging about four guys from 18-21 years of age. In the second year of this rebuild, it jumped to six. This year, it's around nine or 10 guys.
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"So we've increased our talent through the draft but dropped significantly in age and experience, hence you're seeing a little bit of what's happening now. But it is frustrating because we want to win."
Regardless of Carlton's bleak short-term prospects, Bolton again remained adamant the plan would not change.
"We're not going to deviate. I said that last week. Right now, our youngsters are getting games and opportunities. Our leaders find out a lot about themselves when there's challenges, as do coaches," Bolton said.
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Both Carlton and the Western Bulldogs had 10 players with fewer than 50 games experience coming into the clash.
The tall forward line of Charlie Curnow, Levi Casboult and Harry McKay didn't fire, combining for four goals and leaving the Blues short on pressure, and Bolton said the Blues would "have a look at that mix".
