Don’t try to convince Carlton AFL coach Brendon Bolton there’s any merit in close losses.
His side gave flag contender Sydney a mighty scare before the Swans scraped home by six points at the SCG on Saturday.
Bolton’s side lost by seven points to another competition heavyweight West Coast last week and he stressed he would never be satisfied with narrow defeats against more favoured clubs.
“I don’t think that’s performance mindset,” Bolton said.
“If you think that way you always give always give yourself an out.
“We will always recognise and acknowledge and should enjoy the growth of a team and individuals.
“We think we’ve made plenty on that front, but it can also become a self-fulfilling prophecy being honourable when you lose.”
He was pleased with their effort and tackling against Sydney.
The Blues face another stiff challenge next week against Hawthorn, Bolton’s former club who he will coach against in an AFL game for the first time.
“(Recently) we’ve played against some teams (West Coast and Sydney) that have been in grand finals in the last few years, next week we’re going to another team in Hawthorn, who have been in grand finals,” Bolton said.
“It’s great to benchmark our team against those and we keep embracing the challenges.
“We’ll have another one next week.”
He doesn’t expect to have Charlie Curnow available, with the player to undergo scans on a knee injury.
“He didn’t finish the game which is never a great sign, so he’ll miss some weeks, but how many I’m not sure,” Bolton said.
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