AFL SENIOR Coach Michael Voss lamented Carlton’s inability to establish its style of play on the game in a 15-point defeat to Richmond.
However, what Voss was pleased with was the continued fight displayed by his side.
Admitting that the side overused in wet conditions early in the game, the Blues were outhunted by their opponents on Thursday night in an area which has so often been a strength of the side this season.
Speaking to media post-match, Voss said the Blues - who recorded a -13 clearance differential - weren’t able to get the game on their terms for long enough.
“We certainly overused the ball a lot early. It wasn’t how we wanted to come into the game, especially with the conditions,” Voss said.
“You’ve got to factor in a lot of things: there are conditions, there’s the opposition, there’s what we’re trying to reinforce and playing the way we want to be able to play. I can tell you, our style doesn’t include conceding 76 inside 50s to 51.
“We can probably start there, and that doesn’t include getting out-toughed around the ball. They brought a better hunt and appetite to the contest and we weren’t able to absorb that for long enough.
“If you’re not winning the contest and you’re losing territory, it’s a hard day.”
For the second time in three games, it wasn’t so much Carlton’s method but rather its desire which left the team with a chance of a result in the dying stages.
If not for an overturned Jack Newnes goal on a score review, Carlton could’ve found itself within a kick in the last term, just as the team was able to do against Collingwood in Round 11.
Voss said one thing which he “couldn’t take away from the group” was their application to the contest, particularly when the going got tough as they trailed by 34 points early in the second term.
“We’re fighting to the end,” he said.
“There has probably been a view of what this group has or hasn’t done in the past, but that hasn’t been my experience with these guys.
“They’re giving what they’ve got and putting themselves within a shot. We recognise that it wasn’t our best day today to get some off those things together, but they kept going.
“And I’m really pleased that’s a great trait they’re starting to develop.”
