By Jon Pierik
A defiant David Teague said he understood the frustration of Carlton supporters but insists his playing list has the ability to take the next step despite a frustrating 18-point loss to the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
The Blues, as they have done for most of the season, showed glimpses of class but ultimately were let down by poor ball use, an inability to convert forward-50 chances and a back line which could not hold up against a sustained attack by a legitimate premiership threat.
Zac Williams takes off for the Blues but Carlton found the Lions too good on the night.Credit: Getty Images
The defeat under the Marvel Stadium roof leaves the Blues with a 2-4 record and facing a season-defining three weeks against Essendon, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.
Teague had been under the spotlight after a heavy loss to Port Adelaide last week, while several of his players had also had their ability questioned in a year when club executives said finals were expected. There is much work to be done before that hope is realised, with Teague pointing to his team’s wasted inside-50 opportunities despite Harry McKay’s six goals, and an inability to dominate on the ground in that zone.
“The frustrating thing for our fans is we are in these games, we are showing glimpses of it but you need to do it for 120 minutes, and that’s our challenge as a footy club,” Teague said.
“I know the guys are working really hard on it. When it doesn’t happen out there, not only do they get frustrated but our fans get really frustrated. I have belief in the way they are going about it.
Harry McKay of the Blues and Brisbane’s Mitch Robinson collide.Credit: Getty Images
“I have confidence and, some people won’t like hearing it, but I have a lot of confidence in our group that they are going to get better, that they will keep working at it and we all want that to happen next week. I get that. But what we can control is the way we go about it, our work rate and our culture and I am really comfortable with that at the moment.”
Veteran Eddie Betts managed only 0.4 and appears to have lost confidence kicking for goal, while fellow sharpshooter Michael Gibbons had only five touches and was goalless.
Sam Walsh’s rise continued with a team-high 33 disposals but co-captain Patrick Cripps curiously had only four kicks among his 25 disposals, suggesting he had lost confidence when going by foot.
“I think he was trying to be really creative with our handball and it was something we had identified. We had gone away from using the ball ... as a collective we got it right at times, at times we still got it wrong,” Teague said.
“For Patrick, I don’t think you will find he has lost confidence with his kicking. I think you will find he often wins it inside in traffic in a contested situation and I think our handballing as a team was a bit better.”
Teague’s new official mentor, premiership coach John Worsfold, was unable to take his seat in the coaches’ box because of coronavirus protocols but was able to sit in on the post-match press conference.
Meanwhile, Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale is set to come under scrutiny from the match review officer on Monday after an incident in which he touched the field umpire.