THEY DON'T like losing at Carlton.

The 'they' in question aren't the players and coaches, the administration and the board members.

Granted, those key stakeholders would only just now be emerging from the living hell that is a loss to a depleted Gold Coast, one that ended the finals hope of a club that was hell-bent on a top-four berth in 2012 ...  and for a time this year dared to dream of an even loftier goal.

No. The 'they' in question are just a handful of individuals, with plenty of clout and deep pockets. 'They' will decide what happens next at Carlton, starting with coach Brett Ratten.

Stick with Ratten: Walls

That's how it has longed worked at Carlton, back to the days when Ron Barassi was lured to the club as captain coach in 1965.

The board and management at Carlton have long operated in the knowledge that there are some outside the club who will have their backs if tough - and costly - decisions are made without prudence.

These moneyed types can be found within the ranks of influential coterie groups such as The Carltonians. Others are not aligned to any particular group, but in exchange for their generous financial support, they expect their views to be taken into consideration.

One of these would be Bruce Mathieson. The poker machine magnate, the 37th richest man in Australia, is already on record this year demanding sweeping changes within the club.

Blues president Stephen Kernahan told the Herald Sun last month that Mathieson is a "big part of our football club", but if Mathieson is of a mind that the Blues need a change of coach, then Ratten might find himself cleaning out his desk within a week.

Also hugely influential at Carlton is Jeannie Pratt. It was her late husband Richard who revived the Blues several years ago thanks to a large injection of cash and vision. With that, came the aforementioned clout and she remains a huge figure around the club.

If she is of a similar mind to Mathieson, then the money to pay for Operation Malthouse - which with the various payouts and incoming salaries will be well into seven figures - would be found with a minimum of fuss and without much damage to the club's bottom line.

All of this begs the question of whether the Blues should pull the pin on their coach. A success rate of 53.1 since the start of 2008 and finals appearances in three of his five years in charge should count for something. Ratten inherited a mess at Carlton and had the Blues in the finals within two years.

Injuries and suspensions cruelled the Blues this year and as former Blues captain and coach Robert Walls opined on SEN on Monday morning, the blame for the six-goal head start the Blues gave the Suns on Saturday should surely rest with the players.

And that's the argument that has raged among the Navy Blue nation all weekend. Was Ratten to blame for the tardy start? Or should a side containing a few wise old heads such as Chris Judd, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland, Jarrad Waite, Brock McLean, Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson been more switched on for the start of a match with such huge ramifications?

All Carlton people have their views. But among them are some who are in the position to do act on their views.

Carlton is a fascinating club to observe in times of crisis, so watch this space.

You can follow AFL Media senior writer Ashley Browne on Twitter @afl_hashbrowne.