Carlton coach Mick Malthouse says bad footy rather than bad luck is the reason behind his team’s knack for losing close AFL games.
The Blues were left to rue yet another game that got away after conceding a last-minute goal in their five-point loss to Fremantle in Perth on Thursday night.
Carlton have lost six games by 15 points or less this season, with the run of close defeats ruining their finals hopes.
Last year was a similar tale for the Blues, who lost seven games by 17 points or less.
Malthouse refused to go into detail about why his team seemed to choke in close games but hinted that costly mistakes played a part.
“My theory on that is if you split small wins and losses, then it might be luck. When you lose consistently, then it’s deeper,” Malthouse said.
“(We need to) find out exactly why we get close and don’t get over the line.
“They (Fremantle) were a better side; they made fewer mistakes.”
Carlton led Fremantle by 10 points approaching the midway mark of the final quarter but a series of blunders then cost them dearly.
Zach Tuohy conceded a needless 50m penalty for a late hit on Hayden Ballantyne, while Sam Docherty gave away possession on the wing with little more than a minute remaining when he kicked out on the full.
Then, with the ball deep in Fremantle’s forward line, ruckman Cameron Wood fluffed a 15m clearance kick straight into the arms of Dockers midfielder Lachie Neale, who kicked the winning goal.
Carlton midfielder Chris Judd will be monitored over the next few days after he injured his ankle in the opening seconds of the third quarter.
Judd was best afield in the first half but his impact was limited after 120kg Dockers ruckman Aaron Sandilands fell on top of his ankle and made it twist awkwardly.
Malthouse praised Judd for playing out the match but said he is still no wiser as to whether the 30-year-old is keen to play on next season.
Carlton defender Bryce Gibbs could come under scrutiny from the match review panel for his elbow to the back of Hayden Ballantyne’s head as the pair fell to the ground in a marking contest.
And a series of skirmishes between Dockers tagger Ryan Crowley and Blues skipper Marc Murphy will also be looked at.
Don Freo
Guest
Even if the Blues get some stars, MIck will shackle their flair, drop them to the ressies and blame AFL policy and journalists' question for their regression.
Don Freo
Guest
I agree...we won't win nothing. We will win something.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
I wonder how many other games they've gotten more than 50% free kicks than their opposition and still lost.
Nicko
Guest
Close games expose weaknesses in players...Tuohy, Docherty, Wood...mistakes made under pressure by players not quite up to AFL standard yet...or may never be (Wood)...reasons are simple MM...you're expecting too much from players that are marginal...Carlton will finish 10-14...about where their list says they should
Andrew
Guest
If carlton can get that one or two good trades at season end that fill the gaps most required, I can see them climb next year. They need to work on their execution and reduce the skill errors that are costing easy goals. For most of the games ive watched them lose narrowly, its been the errors more than anything else that makes them bottom 6.
Gecko
Guest
Quite possibly a bottom 4 team next season too, as some other basement dwellers seem to have a better bunch of rising talent. The Blues have an oversupply of less skilled players, many of whom need to be jettisoned at the end of this season and replaced by some more skilled ones.
carcass
Guest
Interestingly, in general play Carlton is a 5 to 6 goal better team than the likes of Geelong and Fremantle BUT some errors from some younger players have proven costly. Just a bit more luck with injuries and the likes of Matt Kreuzer getting over injuries the Bluebags could seriously inflict pain in the next few seasons. Fremantle, won't win nothing with their team. They are second to the ball too often, play too defensively to score enough and are too reliant on old stagers like Pavilich who is one foot already in Del Boca Vista retirement home.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
If you guys finish in the bottom 4 (and it's very possible you will looking at your draw) then YES, you are a bottom 4 side irrespective of what you, Mick or anyone else thinks your list is. End of discussion.
Cat
Roar Guru
Not a top 8 list either.
Jack
Guest
To be fair our list is not a bottom 4 list.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
'Close losses cost Carlton a place in finals' http://www.afl.com.au/afl/ladder You do realise when you look at the current AFL ladder just how stupid the title of your article sounds don't you? Face it Carlton are sh...ite even with some admirable close losses.