CARLTON’S players are rubbing wounds of a different kind today; club masseurs easing the sore spots created by paint-filled bullets fired during a bruising team-building paintball session at Port Melbourne.

Brendan Fevola was one member of the leadership group who voted in favour of Tuesday’s activity, which aimed to bring some fun back into the 2007 season.

And inflicting pain on teammates was extremely therapeutic, according to Fevola.

“I went easy on Ryan Houlihan, Marc Murphy and Andrew Carrazzo, as they kick me the footy. However, I showed no mercy on the defenders,” he said.

The activity helped release some of the frustrations that have built up from the club’s six-game losing streak. Fevola said that despite the Blues’ recent poor record, players’ confidence levels remained intact.

“In previous years we have not had the players and we have struggled. But this year, we know we are a good team – so it has been frustrating,” he said.

“The confidence certainly has not disappeared. We have been in the game every time throughout the year. It is just a matter of us getting that one win.”

As well as eliminating lapses in concentration during games, Fevola believes improving consistency and spreading the goal kicking are ways the Blues can get back on the winners’ list.

Fevola highlighted the recent form of Jarrad Waite.

“He is a freakish player, Waitey,” he said.

“A couple of weeks ago he got the job on Nick Riewoldt and beat him; then he goes up forward and kicks four goals on Nathan Bassett, a former All-Australian representative. If he can get some consistency into his football he will be a great player.”

Waite’s mobility will be crucial in defence and attack against the fast-running Western Bulldogs this weekend, as will the sharp-shooting skills of Fevola, who is likely to be shadowed by Brian Harris.

The Blues spearhead, on the other hand, is hoping Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade will give Dale Morris first crack.

“He towelled me up last time we played the Bulldogs; I think I only had two kicks. So, hopefully I will be playing on him and I can get one back,” Fevola said.

Whatever the case, he is in no doubt what style of game he will be involved in at the MCG this Saturday.

“We pride ourselves on contested footy, as do they with the likes of Daniel Cross and Scott West. I think it will be a quick and exciting game to watch and hopefully we can get away with a win,” he said.