SENIOR Coach David Teague said his side must eradicate its tendency for slow starts.

It was another case of what might have been for Carlton, drawing level after trailing Melbourne by 42 points.

However, late Bayley Fritsch behind handed the Blues the narrowest possible loss.

Teague said that while there was heart to take from the comeback, the focus was squarely on the opening quarter.

“We tried hard but we didn’t turn up. We didn’t turn up to start the game again and it’s become a pattern,” Teague said post-match.

“At the moment, we’re giving opposition too much of a start and it’s unacceptable.

“We came here to compete for four quarters and we didn’t do that. We let ourselves down.”

Once Carlton worked its way back into the contest, the momentum was firmly in the hands of the hosts.

With the first four goals of the final term, Carlton seemed to have the upper hand over Melbourne, but fell short at the final hurdle.

Emotion aside, Teague said it was clear that Carlton’s best football is good enough.

“We need to continue to get better and grow it. Our good footy is good,” he said.

“We started changing angles late and we had the run — the guys were fit, they were prepared well.”