Such a reaction is no great surprise.
The Blues won the Wizard Cup in 2005, then collapsed in the home and away season, taking home the wooden spoon.
It was a similar story when Carlton won the NAB Cup in 2007. The Blues won just four home and away games that year, and things became so bad that Pagan was sacked and replaced by Brett Ratten after round 16.
But to ignore Carlton's pre-season triumphs in '05 and '07 is to ignore two of the most exciting nights in the club's recent history.
The first of the games was all about the Blues demonstrating that they had overcome the salary cap crisis, which almost killed the club, and Carlton's players were desperate to be a part of the occasion.
In fact, star midfielder Nick Stevens chose to miss his brother's wedding, in which he was supposed to be the best man, so that he could play.
More than 43,000 people packed into Etihad Stadium to see the Blues take on a highly-rated West Coast side that featured Ben Cousins and Chris Judd.
John Worsfold's Eagles led at the first change, but Pagan's collection of recycled battlers and emerging stars took control of the contest in the second quarter.
The Blues went on and won the game by 27 points, thanks largely to eight goals from Brendan Fevola.
The star full-forward was awarded the Michael Tuck Medal after being voted best on ground.
Tuck accidently sent the crowd into hysterics when he announced, "The Norm Smith Medal goes to Brendan Fevola."
"That night we celebrated as if it was late September and we had won the premiership," Fevola wrote in his autobiography.
"Wearing our medals, we first headed to a pub owned by former Carlton player David Rhys-Jones. After a heap of beers there, we went to the Spy Lounge.
"We were patted on the back by Blues fans everywhere we went. I think I pulled up stumps at around 6 am. It was a massive night."
Another big crowd - the official count was 46,094 - turned out when Carlton took on the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium in the 2007 NAB Cup Grand Final.
Fevola again did his bit that night, booting four goals, while Stevens won the Michael Tuck Medal after picking up 26 possessions and booting a goal.
A number of youngsters, including Josh Kennedy, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs also played their part.
The Carlton supporters were just as delirious in 2007 as they had been in '05, but it was a different story for the players.
"The players got together following the game and decided we would all adhere to a 1am curfew," Fevola wrote of the muted celebrations.
Nevertheless, Blues veteran Anthony Koutoufides found himself getting carried away with the victory.
"Finals are certainly not out of reach for us if we really want it," he told reporters in the rooms.
But it proved to be another false dawn.
Still, the Blues' two pre-season premierships should not be seen to have tarnished the competition.
Although both Carlton and the Lions finished outside the top eight in 2007, every NAB Cup Grand Finalist in the years since has gone on to make the finals.
