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A frustrated David Teague has dismissed talk of the pressure ramping up at Carlton after the Blues slumped to a 0-2 start for a ninth-straight AFL season.
Not since 2012 have Carlton been able to taste victory in the opening two rounds of the season and that concerning trend continued with a 21-point defeat to Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday night.
Despite encouraging periods of play against the Magpies, the Blues were exposed defensively and could not capitalise on the dominance in their forward-half.
After a promising display against reigning premiers Richmond in Round 1, a loss to an under-siege Collingwood stings the Blues coach.
“I was frustrated with the way we started in terms of how easy they scored,” Teague said.
“We want to play 120 minutes of perfect football, and we understand that’s not going to be the case.
“I have absolute belief in this group. We’ll get there. I’m not going to lose any belief in this group.
“I know our fans will probably be a bit frustrated and they’re hurting, they’re disappointed. We all are, the players especially.”
Teague backed Patrick Cripps, who is playing below his lofty standards and denied the Blues co-captain is carrying any sort of injury.
“I thought (Cripps) looked dangerous forward,” Teague said.
“I think he was still strong around the clearances, not sure of the exact numbers, but thought he was probably one of our better performers.
“I know last year Patrick got lots of shots on goal and didn’t finish his work and he’s been working on that from a forward craft point of view.”
Carlton will face Fremantle next at Marvel Stadium in a bid to avoid slumping to three straight defeats, which would put their bid to play finals for the first time in eight years in jeopardy.
© AAP
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