Chris Yarran can't explain why he 'uncharacteristically' lashed out and punched Essendon opponent Paul Chapman during Saturday's 21-point defeat, Carlton coach Mick Malthouse says.
Meanwhile, Chapman has angrily refuted any suggestions he provoked the first-quarter stoush with a racial slur.
In a behind-the-play incident, the pair pushed and shoved on the southern wing at the MCG before Yarran threw a left hook, which missed, before he landed with a second shot above Chapman's right eye.
Blood streamed from the veteran Don's face as he ran from the field, and Chapman later had to be substituted out of the match for 20 minutes while he had a concussion test.
In his post-match media conference, Malthouse said Yarran was at a loss to explain the fiery clash.
VIDEO: Carlton v Essendon highlights
"It's quite uncharacteristic. He just said things happen. He said he didn't know why, how and that's the way it is," Malthouse said.
"He said 'I can't believe I would have even …'. That's how it's panned out but it certainly wasn't preconceived.
"At the end of it he was really still staggered how things happened."
Chapman, who had stitches above his right eye after the game, defended his reputation when speaking to Triple M post-match.
"It was just one of those things on the field - a bit of push and and shove and (it) got a little bit angry," he said.
"I don't know how (he) got me or whether he threw one, but I just felt one on the head.
"I've heard a little rumour that I've been saying things about people's race or colour or whatever.
"That's ludicrous - I wouldn't mind knowing who's brought that out and saying that stuff, because that's just not right and not the sort of person I am.
VIDEO: Carlton debutant Ciaran Byrne speaks to CFC TV post-match
"It's a little bit disappointing ... what happened, happened."
Chapman was praised by coach James Hird after he kept his composure to "kick a couple of goals for us, put on some good pressure and I think he handled himself very well in maybe circumstances where he was under a bit of pressure".
Despite paying credit to the Dons for the win, Malthouse couldn't hide his frustration at the manner of the Blues' third-straight defeat to the start the season.
Carlton had four more scoring shots than Essendon (29-25), equal inside 50s (57-all) and dominated contested possessions (159-117).
Malthouse rued a combination of poor attacking entries and decision-making, with the Blues trailing by just three points midway at the 19-minute mark of the second quarter before coughing up seven goals to one in the next half-hour.
"Quite frankly on four or five occasions we were dead against our whole system the way we went in and where it lobbed," Malthouse said.
"Option-taking was not the best.
"I don't say we went to sleep in the second quarter, but they just had a good run and we weren't able to pull them back.
"There was a couple of decisions we made which opened it up for them and they took full toll."
Carlton will attempt to break its duck for 2015 against last year's wooden-spooners St Kilda in Wellington on Anzac Day.
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