“They are definitely on the right track so that is encouraging, but it would be disappointing if they don’t make the finals when you consider where they were at the halfway mark [of the season],” Walls said.
Carlton sat in the top four temporarily during the bye rounds but have won just four of their past 10 matches after winning eight of their first 10.
“It might just mean there is a stronger resolve over summer … I reckon there will be a real sting if they don’t make finals and maybe some harder decisions will be made on players than if they did make finals,” Walls said .
The Blues have been hard hit by injuries at key times and will look to Lachie Fogarty, who has been in good form in the VFL, or Liam Stocker, who was unavailable for selection last week due to concussion, as replacements against Melbourne.
Marc Pittonet, who played against Adelaide before missing the match against the Lions, is expected to return to the ruck, with Tom De Koning potentially used up forward.
Walls was adamant Jack Silvagni – a surprise medi-sub against Adelaide – should play given his form and versatility. Zac Williams, who has missed a large chunk of the season through injury, is a rough chance to play in round 23, but no chance to play against the Demons.
Midfielder Sam Walsh, who has won plenty of possessions for the Blues in recent games, said Carlton needed to rediscover their edge in the contest, regardless of their personnel.
“The cornerstone for us is playing tough and hard and helping each other out,” Walsh said.
He backed teammates Adam Cerra and Paddy Dow to show their wares as the team looks to rediscover the style that helped them pile on eight goals in the final quarter against the Lions.
Carlton scored just seven points off turnovers in the first half and 34 points in the second half. This was despite the Blues having six more disposals than the Lions in the first half but 35 fewer disposals in the second half.
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Although the pressure was down, the numbers were instructive as they were direct, creating deep entries that allowed their key forwards, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, to compete in the air and their defenders to set up behind the ball.
They kicked nine goals out of 11 from late in the third quarter to late in the final quarter to draw back within 15 points.
They have not defeated Melbourne since 2016, having lost their past six matches against the Demons, and could still lose both matches and make finals if St Kilda lost both their remaining two games and the Western Bulldogs won just one of their final two matches.