TonyK
CibbuanoRatten not blaming Fev
May 2nd 2009 10:47
CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has refused to blame spearhead Brendan Fevola for the Blues' heartbreaking four-point loss to reigning premiers Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
Ratten said his side's inability to capitalise on its opportunities in the first half had a greater bearing on the result than Fevola's poster when the Blues were down by five points in the final minute of the match.
"I think our first half, to have 31 inside-50s to 19 - that's when you've got to grab your opportunities and we didn't convert," Ratten said.
"They won a lot of one-on-ones in our forward 50 and their backs did a great job and they zoned very well so ... there were a lot of other things before that kick that we should have put a lot more pressure on them."
Ratten also said the Blues would take a lot of confidence from being able to match Hawthorn for intensity.
"We spoke after the game about the intensity required and Hawthorn are the benchmark, to win the grand final, and how well they do a lot of things in the game," he said.
"The pleasing aspect out of this game, [where] we should take a lot of confidence, is that's the intensity you have to play week in week out and we, to a degree, matched Hawthorn."
"We get a lot of positives out of that ... our challenge is can we repeat that, regardless of who we play."
Ratten said his side's inability to capitalise on its opportunities in the first half had a greater bearing on the result than Fevola's poster when the Blues were down by five points in the final minute of the match.
"I think our first half, to have 31 inside-50s to 19 - that's when you've got to grab your opportunities and we didn't convert," Ratten said.
"They won a lot of one-on-ones in our forward 50 and their backs did a great job and they zoned very well so ... there were a lot of other things before that kick that we should have put a lot more pressure on them."
Ratten also said the Blues would take a lot of confidence from being able to match Hawthorn for intensity.
"We spoke after the game about the intensity required and Hawthorn are the benchmark, to win the grand final, and how well they do a lot of things in the game," he said.
"The pleasing aspect out of this game, [where] we should take a lot of confidence, is that's the intensity you have to play week in week out and we, to a degree, matched Hawthorn."
"We get a lot of positives out of that ... our challenge is can we repeat that, regardless of who we play."
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