Carlton veteran Marc Murphy says interim coach David Teague has inspired belief in his players and is well-placed to secure the fulltime job.
Saturday's victory over Gold Coast improved the Blues' AFL record under Teague to four wins and two losses, with both defeats coming by less than a goal.
His predecessor Brendon Bolton coached the Blues to just one win from 11 games this season before being sacked.
Having witnessed plenty of hard times in his 14 seasons at the club, former skipper Murphy believes the coaching change has produced genuine momentum and left Teague as the deserved favourite to continue in the role.
"If we keep on winning obviously that will be the case," Murphy told reporters on Tuesday.
"Time will tell. Obviously the club will go through a process at the end of the season.
"The belief's really growing around the place. Playing out there on the weekend it was really loud, heaps of Carlton supporters there.
"I think our fans are really enjoying what they're seeing at the moment."
Teague's chances appeared to take a hit when football director Chris Judd declared the Blues wanted an experienced coach and not "someone with training wheels on", although he later backtracked on those comments.
Murphy noted Teague had gained plenty of experience as an assistant coach at three clubs, including helping lead Adelaide to the 2017 grand final.
"He's been involved in some really good footy clubs and clubs that were going really well at the time, obviously with Adelaide and West Coast," said Murphy, who has thrived since being shifted back into an on-ball role under Teague.
"He's great at building relationships, Teaguey. I think he's been enormous in that area since he came to the club.
"And he just keeps things really simple. He's big on guys playing their role and understanding what that requires, and guys are really buying into that at the moment."
Carlton will look to continue their strong form on Saturday when they host eighth-placed Adelaide at the MCG.
Murphy said it had been tough to witness close friend and former Carlton teammate Bryce Gibbs being exiled to the SANFL.
"It's been a little bit surprising, knowing the calibre of football player that he is," Murphy said.
"He finished fourth in the (Crows' best and fairest) so he played some good footy last year. It hasn't quite worked out for him this year.
"I know he'll work hard and whenever that opportunity comes, I'm sure he'll grab it with both hands."
Australian Associated Press
