Don't tell Carlton coach Brett Ratten that the Blues don't have anything to play for over the remainder of the home and away season.
The Blues' hopes of a first finals appearance since 2001 ended last week with a loss to the Kangaroos but Ratten wants to end a much-improved season on a high with matches to come against Brisbane at the Gabba this week and high-flying Hawthorn in round 22.
Two wins there would give the Blues 11 wins from 22 matches this season - the first time they would have at least broken even in a season since 2001 given the club has finished in the bottom two in five of the past six seasons.
While Ratten, who has performed superbly in his first full season as coach, admits his team has improved, he said last week's 51 point loss to the Kangaroos was a timely reminder of just how far the club has to go before it can reclaim its place amongst the league's top echelon.
But he believes a successful end to the season will lay the foundations for even greater improvement next season.
"I suppose what we did learn on the weekend (against North) was regardless of playing in the eight, that was the standard we have to match," he said on Wednesday.
"And we could let ourselves down if we think that's it (now the club can't make the eight) and we put the cue in the rack thinking we have done a good job."
"This competition goes for 22 weeks and the standards we have set will have a big imprint on 2009 and you never want to leave a season, regardless of whether you are going to play finals or not, with a sour taste in your mouth and hopefully we don't."
"And I have seen it at our club before (as a player) where we have finished off a season well and translated it into the following season because it helps your belief over the pre-season."
The Blues also have the chance to win at the Gabba for the first time since 2000 this week as well as winning three games on the road in the one season for the first time since the same year.
"We looked at our interstate games this year and it was a real challenge for us to see if we could be undefeated interstate," Ratten said.
"But we lost to Adelaide by eight points but if we could get three (wins) out of four (on the road) it would be a real plus for us going forward."