IT'S the question that had to be asked, and the answer was what you'd expect.
"I'll assume that you didn't ask me that question," Carlton caretaker coach John Barker said on Friday.
We're talking about tanking.
The prize for the loser of Saturday night's Brisbane-Carlton game could be greater than the four points on offer for the winner.
On offer is this year's No.1 draft pick. And while both clubs have rejected outright any suggestion they won't be playing to win, it's something that's back-of-mind for the entire AFL community.
"I haven't heard the talk, we're a competitive team, and we'll go up to win the game," Barker said.
"I think it's fortunate for the competition that we've got 18 teams that want to compete week-in, week-out and that's what's going to happen on Saturday night."
The long-term damage done to Melbourne is evidence of why playing for draft picks doesn't work.
And with his coaching prospects on the line, Barker was talking up the importance of culture.
"At the moment we want to instil a culture that is based on really high standards around the club, and one of those standards is real strong intent on the ground to give us our best chance of winning," he said.
The Blues will again go into a game without Chris Yarran.
Reading between the lines, Barker indicated the 24-year-old has a way to go before earning a recall.
"In our conversations, they're really good conversations, but what we need to see is that intent on field," he said.
Barker also addressed speculation about out-of-contract swingman Lachie Henderson's future, but only in terms of his form.
"He's one of those guys whose form is not as good as we'd like it to be. He's giving strong effort, though, and we're assuming that'll turn around quickly," he said.
And, as for his own future, Barker has no choice but to toe the party line.
"Carlton Football Club needs to do what's right for them going forward, I understand that, and am more than happy with the process and looking forward to that playing out," he said.
"I have enjoyed it, it's been a great experience to get the keys of such a great club.
"It's been a great experience, it's been hard work, but I've enjoyed every minute of it."
He denied this game is 'make or break' for him.
"Not really," he said.
"I think internally we know where we're at as a football club, we know that at the moment we're reasonably compromised in terms of what's available for us with regard of quality of player."
