MOMENTUM shifts during Carlton's 44-point loss to Port Melbourne will be the key focus ahead of Round 3, according to senior coach Luke O'Shannessy.

After an even opening quarter at La Trobe University, the Blues were slow out of the blocks in the second, resulting in a surge of forward 50 entries from the Borough.

“They got a late red time goal which stung and that probably disheartened the girls a little bit at quarter time,” said O’Shannessy.

“They then got a real run on and utilised the conditions to the best of their abilities to really do a number on us in the second quarter.” 

Nevertheless, as the old cliché goes, a week is a long time in football - O’Shannessy was confident his side would be able to turn things around and bring their best against the next opponent.

“You don’t have a lot of time to dwell on stuff, so we’ll do a review and identify a couple of things that we need to tweak, and very quickly get onto Round Three,” he said.

Despite the size of the loss, many positives could still be taken from the match, including strong performances by defensive trio Jessie Coletti, Jen Lew and Jess Edwards.

Speaking post-match to Carlton Media, Coletti said it was great having the seniority of AFLW-listed Blue Jess Edwards in the side.

“She (Edwards) was good on-field and showed a lot of leadership down back,” she said.

“She got the talk up and told me where to go so she really helped me play a good game.”

Coletti also spoke of the support within the group during what was a tough half of footy in warmer conditions.  

“Despite the scoreboard, we all still got around each other,” she said.