After the final siren at the MCG on Saturday vice-captain Andrew Carrazzo recalled words once said to him by former Carlton coach Denis Pagan …  that “draws are like dancing with your sister.”

Following a see-sawing contest Carlton finished 14.6 (90) to draw with Essendon 13.12 (90).

Carrazzo said Pagan’s words were an appropriate way to articulate the Round 23 result.

“Yeah it’s a really hollow feeling,” Carrazzo said.

“It would have left a really nice taste in our mouths to have finished the season on a win against a good team, but it’s certainly better than a loss.”

The Blues were five goals down midway through the third term but mounted a fightback – and Carrazzo said it was key midfielders who led the charge.

“We had some fantastic performances from a few guys and when the game was in the balance, they lifted it to another level,” Carrazzo said.

“Gibba (Bryce Gibbs) and Juddy (Chris Judd)…Tommy Bell was giving us lots of run and his attack on the ball was great.

“We had enough guys that grit their teeth and turned the tide of the game, which was really encouraging."

Reflecting on the season Carrazzo said that while the Blues didn’t make the finals, he believes the Club is in a better position compared to last year.

“It goes without saying that we’ve had some really disappointing losses and some games we really should have won,” Carrazzo said.

“But I think overall, looking back to where we were last year, compared to where we are this year and the growth that we’ve had from certain guys, I think that we are in a better position.

“Supporters see what they see on the ground. I’m trying to take an objective view and say that what I’m feeling on the inside of the Club and the culture that we are building, we are in a much better position that what we were last year.

“I know that supporters want to see results and want to see runs on the board. I feel like we are building that team camaraderie and playing the right way. Now it’s time to get those results in those games."