'Big step forward': Carlton puts 'tough time' behind them with huge boilover in first game after Voss exit

Carlton has claimed its first victory since round one, standing tall in the absence of senior coach Michael Voss, who quit his post last week.

Interim coach Josh Fraser didn't change much during the week, but reaped the rewards on Saturday night as a revitalised Blues outfit held firm to defeat an injury-ravaged Western Bulldogs side.

He admitted he took a back seat approach in his first game as coach for the Blues, but at the end of a turbulent week for the club, the victory provided a much-needed step in the right direction.

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"We've had a reasonably tough time of it lately. And then the events of this week impacted a lot of people, particularly the playing group who were so connected to Vossy (Michael Voss) and the staff who have so much admiration for him," Fraser said post-game.

"So for us to regroup and galvanise and perform the way we did tonight, I think it's a big step forward for the club."

Fraser praised the team's defensive intensity, noting it as the cornerstone of their victory.

Carlton have led themselves into second half lulls in previous weeks, so the ability to stick with the Western Bulldogs and ultimately outlast them was a welcome change.

"(The game) really relied on our pressure. And I thought our appetite to close down their time and space, to take away their inside to our game, they're a lead at it," he said further.

"So it really tested our ability to do that over four quarters.

"But again, I just thought when the game wasn't quite flowing the way we wanted, we had a cornerstone to fall back on around our pressure, and I thought our pressure was terrific tonight.

"I want to reiterate, we've got so much growth in front of us. You know, what we produce tonight, we haven't proven to be consistent yet. We've got to double down on what that looks like.

"Now, whether emotion played a part tonight, I'm not sure. That's our challenge to make sure it becomes habit and part of our game."

A much-needed spark emerged in debutant Jack Ison, who helped lift the playing group at the MCG. Smiles followed the 19-year-old Indigenous talent as he debuted during Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

After taking part in the pre-game ceremony, Ison showed exciting flashes on the field as he brought energy, collecting 15 disposals and kicking his first goal.

"Not sure I expected it but we had a focus tonight around the way we wanted to play, to really connect with the crowd and our supporter base," said Fraser.

"And Jack added to that. And it's really exciting to see him get his opportunity. He's a great story.

"But the way he was able to stand up in the last quarter as well, I think he had seven or eight positions in that last quarter when the game was quite hot.

"He's a bit of a cult figure already, which is fantastic."

Carlton will now head over to Adelaide to take on the Port Adelaide Power on Saturday night.