NO DROPPING standards, but better signs.

Carlton AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss credited the effort and application of his side in the Gather Round opener, but lamented a 10-minute lapse in the second term plus costly moments at crucial stages in a 28-point defeat to Adelaide.

This is what he had to say.

On how decisive the second-quarter lapse was:

“The game asks questions for the entirety of the game - I was saying this in the [pre-match] presser. It’s no guarantees how you finish the game versus your first halves: every game presents a new opportunity to put your game style to work.

“For a large portion of that game, particularly in the second half, we were able to dominate field position. We probably didn’t get the score ticking over as much as what we’d like, and then they kicked a goal a little bit against the run of play.

“In the last quarter, I thought we played it out strong. We gave them a goal against the run of play, that gets them a little bit further in front and relieves the pressure when we’re pressing.

“We set the game up okay, but in the second quarter, that 10 minutes - we didn’t touch the ball a hell of a lot, we were losing territory from stoppage and when they went in, they scored. We couldn’t turn it off for that period of time. It’ll be something to go back to look at, because that was really where the game was lost in the end.”

On Patrick Cripps being on the bench to start the second term:

“The way forward is sharing the load. We don’t ask any player to play 100 per cent of game time. I can’t believe those sorts of things are still questioned: it’s a midfield group that gets the job done.

“The skipper started great, he had a very good night which was fantastic to see. There were players that returned to form today, some of our very important players. That’s really important.

“But we’ve also got to be better than a team that has to have him in there for 100 per cent of the time.”

On whether the midfield mix “looked better” this week:

“It’s a bit hard to draw that conclusion. What we were able to do was get a few more players through there, sharing the load a fair bit more.

“We’ll continue to see what that looks like: if we’re afforded the opportunity to be able to do that, we’ll continue in that direction.”

On Mitch McGovern’s form up forward, and potential changes at either end:

“We’ve got ‘Weiters’ and ‘Deany’ that are due to return. That puts a question on our defence, but I’m really pleased with how ‘Kempy’ is competing down there [up forward].

“I thought Harry competed really hard, sometimes against three players, he could’ve maybe been a bit luckier in some contests… I think he could’ve been rewarded a little bit more. He showed up in those contests and was really strong in the air on a really hard night.

“Little signs from Haynes in his return, Derksen showed signs of improvement from last week to this week. We’ve got to continue to look at little bits of improvement in our footy team right now, both structure and personnel.”

On Sam Walsh’s influence after quarter time:

“They put a bit more work into him and we tried to do a few little things in terms of where he started to try and disrupt their structure.

“He still had quite a solid night, but when you come out of the gates like that, there aren’t too many having 15 disposals in the first quarter and bursting out of stoppage like he was.

“Again, more guys playing better tonight to get themselves in form helps us.”

On Zac Williams having midfield minutes:

“It was what he did at the end of last year where he spent a bit of midfield time and went forward. We felt our high backs had a pretty good day last week, they were in reasonable form and earnt their spot.

“It gave us a chance to look a bit different, and we’ll keep exploring that - we’re not set on it, we’ll continue to see if we can give more players exposure to get a bit more speed and transition as the game gets faster.”

On Patrick Cripps’ sore hand:

“I couldn’t tell you with absolute certainty, but I think he’s fine.

On whether 1-4 is an accurate reflection of the team currently:

“I don’t think so. It’s been well spoken about with the couple of games that we let go. That puts a little bit of tension, but what you want to see is are you progressively getting closer to where you want to be in terms of how you’re playing?

“I don’t want to be sitting here lowering any standard, because we didn’t win the game. What I can’t question is the effort and spirit they’re bringing to wanting to get better, turning up every day to get better, working on their game.

“Today, simple indicators like having 86 tackles and the communication we’ve been trying to work on, all those little things and marginal improvements that we want to get better at is closer to where we want to be. It’s not finished, but it’s closer to where we need to be.”

On whether he thinks a complete performance is closer than previous weeks:

“You walk up every single week hoping it happens, but yes I do. Absolutely yes I do.

“Today, I felt like it was fundamentals like coughing the ball up when we didn’t need to, too high free kicks, giving away frees through the second quarter, and we couldn’t stop them scoring when they went inside 50.

“We’ve got to be a bit better in those moments: when you lose territory, you have to defend tighter for longer. We weren’t able to do that, and their scoreboard kept ticking.”

On George Hewett’s potential return to the team:

“George has a role to play for us. He’s a special human being. They’re never nice moments as coaches to have those conversations: he’s a much-loved player.

“We always take the individual into account, but we also keep team-first and what’s in the best interests of the team.

“We got a shift today and we’ll keep exploring that. That doesn’t mean that George doesn’t turn up in the next couple of weeks for us.”

On Adam Saad being left out of the side in recent weeks:

“I don’t think he’s been playing as well as what he’d like to, I think even he’d say that. We’re looking for a little bit more.

“Unfortunately he doesn’t play this week, because Gather Round means all the other competitions don’t play. He’s working away at his game and he understands where he’s at. Right now, there are a couple of others that have earned their spot ahead of him.

“I’m sure he’ll brace that challenge like George will, like Blake Acres will and whoever else finds themselves in that position.

“It’ll be an important challenge for all those guys to keep driving the team to be better. If you’ve got a healthy squad, it puts pressure on the players above to be doing well.”

On whether Jacob Weitering is in line to return for the Collingwood game:

“I think so, yeah. He’s got training tomorrow, but he’s going through all the protocols and he’s got no problems. I’d expect him to return.”