Carlton coach Brett Ratten says win against Melbourne under-valued by critics

CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has fired back at critics who were not impressed by Carlton's 58-point victory against winless Melbourne.

Shaun Hampson

CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has fired back at critics who were not impressed by Carlton's 58-point victory against winless Melbourne last week.

As the Blues yesterday prepared to take on Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium tonight, Ratten said the win had been under-valued.

"We held the opposition to 49 points and kicked 107 - and that was not our best performance?" he said.

"Yep, what more would you want? Everyone has an opinion. We thought it was a pretty good performance. Everyone sees it different."

Ratten said he anticipated Carlton's trio of big men - Matthew Kreuzer, Shaun Hampson and Robert Warnock - would offer "a great advantage" tonight.

Ratten said he anticipated Carlton's trio of big men - Matthew Kreuzer, Shaun Hampson and Robert Warnock - would offer "a great advantage" tonight.

"We can throw different types of ruckmen to the opposition." he said

"For Warnock to come up after a five-week spell was enormous and he is only going to get better. It is going to be hard one for the opposition to combat."

But Ratten did not dismiss the work coach Matthew Primus has done to refit the Power midfield.

"We've noted Kane Cornes has gone back to his traditional role (as a tagger) and the way they are using Danyle Pearce and Travis Boak," Ratten said.

"We've watched Hamish Hartlett with interest and note he has the skill and poise to change a game."