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Mick Malthouse concedes that losing consistently by narrow margins is a problem for a club and is not simply a case of a side suffering bad luck at the end of games.
The Blues five-point loss to Fremantle in Perth on Thursday night was their sixth defeat by less than three goals this season; on top of two wins by just 13 points or less.
That follows seven losses in 2013 by 18 points or less.
Finals are a distant prospect for Mick Malthouse and his boys this season though.
They have won just six games of 18 and sit 13th on the AFL ladder, three wins behind Adelaide, who play West Coast at home on Saturday.
Only North Melbourne’s 2013 season would have been more frustrating for supporters of that club. The Roos lost 10 games by a margin of 16 points or less last season – on top of winning three games by 11 points or less – and missed the finals by four premiership points.
Malthouse said after the loss on Thursday night that it’s not a simple case of luck turning their way and then close losses can become wins.
“My theory on that is if you split small wins and losses, then it might be luck. When you lose consistently, then it's deeper,” he said.
“It's something we really need to address over the pre-season. Find out exactly why we get close and don't get over the line.
“I have (noticed some trends in the losses, but) I think that is certainly for internal consumption. They are my thoughts and they will stay my thoughts and the players will hear those as we go.”
Carlton led by four points at the last change against the Dockers and then captain Marc Murphy kicked the first goal of the final term to take the margin to 10.
But Fremantle kicked four of the last five goals of the game to claim the win.
Malthouse was clearly disappointed after the loss . The Blues still held a one point lead before Fremantle’s Lachie Neale marked and kicked a goal with just 36 seconds remaining.
It was the Blues eighth final-quarter loss for the season.
A couple of crucial turnover by the Blues cost them their third consecutive win over Fremantle in Perth. With two minutes on the clock Sam Docherty sprayed a kick into Carlton’s forward line that went over the boundary line on the full.
That turnover resulted in the Neale goal.
It was mistakes like that which had Malthouse lamenting the missed opportunity after the game.
“They were a better side; they made fewer mistakes. They make fewer mistakes they win the game,” he said.
“You don't win games when you make more mistakes than the opposition. I don't get too excited about any loss.”
The Blues' game against the Gold Coast next Saturday will be their fourth in a row against sides pushing for spots either in the eighth or high in the top four.
And the run home doesn’t get much easier, with Geelong, Port Adelaide and Essendon to finish the season.
Carlton results this season less than 3 goals
Loss R2 12p Richmond
Win R6 3p West Coast
Win R10 5p Adelaide
Loss R11 7p Brisbane
Loss R12 5p Geelong
Loss R14 8p GWS
Loss R15 15p Collingwood
Loss R19 5p Fremantle