CARLTON veteran Heath Scotland admits the old Blues would have folded in previous years when the crunch came against hard-edged challengers like Sydney and St Kilda.

But the blue collar on the new Blues is legitimate, Scotland says, and back-to-back wins over the Swans and Saints - outscoring both in the final quarter - are proof Carlton has unlocked the secret to closing out tight contests.

''In years gone by, we were probably a little bit unsure in close games,'' the 30-year-old said yesterday.

''We were unsure in our ability, whether or not we were good enough to win them and we'd fall away with half a quarter to go or something like that. But the confidence in the group is very high and we know we can match it with the best and we're able to sustain the competitiveness.''

The Blues, sitting third with 5½ wins from seven games, have a well-earned bye this week, having trumped two of the league's recognised street fighters at their own game, both in vastly different conditions. In a wet-weather slog at the SCG, Carlton won the contested possession count 194 to 171, a difference of 23, against Sydney, then beat St Kilda by the same measure 154 to 132, a difference of 22, under the roof at Etihad Stadium.

The Saints threw down the gauntlet mentally and physically during a heated confrontation on Monday night, coming back from 28 points down midway through the third quarter to hit the lead 23 minutes into the fourth.

But the Blues rallied late, forcing the ball forward to Andrew Walker for the match-winning goal with 90 seconds remaining.

Brett Ratten's men have responded to late charges in games against the Saints, three points, Sydney, 16 points, and Adelaide, six points, to claim three consecutive wins by a combined total of 25 points, an indication they now have toughness to match their talent.

Scotland said players who had been through tough times in recent years had come out the other side as mature footballers, and the team was more complete as a result.