Experienced Carlton defender Michael Jamison says Hawthorn’s side on Friday night was “the best unit” he has ever played against.
The Blues suffered a disappointing 138-point loss to the reigning premiers, on the same weekend Carlton was commemorating its 1995 premiership victory.
Speaking to SEN’s Crunch Time in the wake of the loss, Jamison said the Hawks were “super impressive”.
“It was clearly extremely tough, they are the best unit I’ve played against and I’ve been going around for nine years – it’s just super impressive,” he said.
“They didn’t give us a chance to get back in the game, especially when we turned it over like we did.”
The Blues tried to maintain possession by kicking short in the first quarter but simple skill errors allowed the Hawks to swoop and regain the football.
“They were really impressive at shutting our options down,” Jamison said.
“The times we did get out eventually, we turned it over or dropped simple marks, which you can’t blame on inexperience … reality is we’re all AFL players and you shouldn’t drop marks.”
Although playing Hawthorn seems like a daunting proposition, Jamison said he was “genuinely excited” by the challenge posed on Friday night.
“When I speak to Simpson and guys like that, we agree the youth around us is really exciting.
“I know it’s an easy thing to say, but what better challenge for those guys to play against that sort of side and know the level they need to get to.”
On Friday night the level of experience between the two teams were vastly different. The 22 Hawks players who lined up against the Blues had played an average of 142 games, while Carlton’s players average was nearly half at 72 games.
Jamison, who has been in the AFL system for nine years, said his personal performance sometimes takes a back seat in order to teach the Blues’ younger players.
“You get to a stage in your career where your personal performance or output is superseded by trying to develop the young players and as a leader that’s the most important thing.
“Those guys that played last night know exactly how hard they need to work now and what they need to improve on and that’s a good step for them to take into pre-season.”
Carlton will be hoping to bounce back against North Melbourne this Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.
