Carlton’s best quarter of the year meant nothing to the Blues on a night that saw them take a significant step backwards, defender Michael Jamison says.
Having gone goalless in the second term against Collingwood on Friday night, and reached three-quarter time with just 2.7, the Blues kicked 8.3 in the final term.
It saw them cut the final margin at the MCG to 34 points, but it didn't mask the disappointment for Jamison after back-to-back wins had restored some confidence at Visy Park.
"I don't think we really take anything out of the last quarter … they slowed down more than we ran over the top," Jamison told AFL.com.au.
"We made some ground up the previous two weeks and I think we've taken a step back today.
"If you're losing because they're a better side, you can hack it if they're doing everything right.
"But our work-rate and things that we've been practicing all week, we didn't put into place."
While well behind in contested possession (131-118) and inside 50s (54-40), perhaps the most damning stat for Carlton was a tackle count of just 21 at half-time.
The Blues finished with 49 to the Magpies 65 and Jamison said the discrepancy was a work-rate issue.
"Usually it's one of two things – it's intent or you're nowhere near them and I think it was both of those things tonight," he said.
"We gave them heaps of space and they were working a lot harder.
"When they're outnumbering us at every contest it's hard to get those tackles up and then the intent wasn't there."
The Blues face St Kilda on a Monday night in round eight before their bye and Jamison said it was important to restore some confidence ahead of the break.
He said the performance of half-back Sam Docherty (13 possessions and six marks) in his first game for the Blues was a rare highlight.
"It's always tough not knowing if you're playing or not with guys coming in and out of the team," he said of the former Brisbane Lion, who was a late replacement for Andrew Carrazzo.
"So for him to come in and play his role, I thought he exemplified that really well and was a great positive on a night when there weren't too many."
