Carlton coach Brendon Bolton says club is hurting after worst start in club history

AN EMOTIONAL coach Brendon Bolton says the whole club is hurting but pleaded with the footy world to understand why Carlton has made the worst start to a season in its history.

Dejected Blues walk off the ground after the team's sixth straight loss.

CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton linked the club’s first 0-6 start in its proud 122-year history with committing to the club’s first ever genuine rebuild.

But Bolton declared everyone at Ikon Park was hurting after the Blues’ error-riddled 21-point loss to the even younger Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

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An emotional Bolton pointed to the rising number of teenagers and was hopeful the club would break its duck by the halfway mark of 2018.

“We feel their (supporters’) frustration,” Bolton said.

“But it’s the first time in the club’s history it’s genuinely done a rebuild. (The first time) it’s focused on a full-blown rebuild.

“It hurts — players hurt, coaches hurt and I’m sure our supporters hurt when you haven’t got a win on the scoreboard yet.

“(But) It is the first time in history that we have had a genuine rebuild.”

Patrick Cripps was colossal for Carlton.

Bolton told his players one positive was they outscored the Dogs by two behinds in the second half.

But the coach was left frustrated by skill errors under the roof with the Dogs’ first nine goals coming from turnovers.

“I’m concerned. We’re frustrated, we’re feeling it and it hurts,” Bolton said.

“We are concerned about not winning, all I’m saying is there’s a reality we’ve gone through a rebuild.

“We’re hoping (it turns) as soon as possible. Hopefully by the halfway mark we have got a win or two.

“Here are some simple facts for you: three years ago, when we started the rebuild, we were averaging about four guys from 18-21 years of age.

“In the second year of this rebuild it jumped to six. This year it’s around nine or 10 guys.

“So we’ve increased our talent through the draft but dropped significantly in age and experience. Hence you’re seeing a little bit of what’s happening now.”

Brendon Bolton contemplates the Blues’ position. Picture: Michael Klein

Bolton conceded playing three tall forwards — 100-gamer Levi Casboult, Harry McKay and budding superstar Charlie Curnow — didn’t work against the Dogs.

“I think we would’ve had (only) four or five tackles inside 50m,” Bolton said.

The Blues face Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), Essendon (MCG), Melbourne (MCG), Geelong (GMHBA Stadium) and Sydney (SCG) before their Round 12 bye.

Bolton said would not “deviate”.

“I said that last week. Our youngsters are getting games and opportunities,” Bolton said.

“I know we’re all united from the top down.”