Denis Pagan believes Carlton fans are finally starting to see the results of the hard work of his players after the Blues ground out a 21-point win over Melbourne on Sunday.

Pagan credited many long hours spent in the gym for the ferocious attack on the ball that his players were able to display against the Demons at Telstra Dome and likened the win to the culmination of an apprenticeship.

"There's been a lot of hard work put in, a lot of guys have done apprenticeships, young men who've been at it for three years. They haven't been early (draft) picks, but have worked hard," Pagan said.