CARLTON midfielder Heath Scotland says the forward press implemented by West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday was the best the Blues have faced all season.

While reigning premier Collingwood is considered the master of the press, Scotland believes the version used by the Eagles in their 36-point upset win set a new benchmark.

"I'm not taking anything away from Collingwood at all, but I just think [the Eagles] were really good yesterday and our ball-use wasn't great," Scotland said at Visy Park on Monday morning.

"They hemmed us in and really pressed us back and didn't allow us any freedom.

"On yesterday's game, they played really well and that's the best we've played against so far this year."

West Coast dominated all the important aspects of the contest.

The Eagles won the inside-50 count 58-49,  kicked 15 goals to Carlton's 10, and  out-tackled the Blues 76 to 73.

"They were good everywhere," Scotland said.

"Their big men were great, they created more contests than us, and their midfield probably beat ours.

"Their overall pressure was really good."

The Blues are still awaiting a prognosis on the severity of star defender Michael Jamison's knee injury.

Jamison was subbed out of the game just before half-time and looks certain to miss the big clash with Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

It is a major blow for Carlton as Jamison would have lined up on Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt.

"Obviously he's a very important player for us, and he's having a great year, so it will be a bit of a dint for our backline," Scotland said.

"But someone will come up and get the opportunity to play full-back and do the role and we've just got to give that player more support.

"I think we allowed West Coast yesterday to have too many one-on-one contests with their tall forwards and we didn't get back and support our backmen as much."

Currently fifth on the ladder, West Coast is now only two points behind Carlton and the Eagles are looming large as the race for the coveted top-four places heats up.

"It was a disappointing loss," Scotland said. "It was a big game, an eight-point game, and we're disappointed with the result.

"It's hard to say there was a lack of effort, as we always go out there and try, but I think we weren't playing with the intensity or the pressure that we have in previous weeks.

"It just shows that when you're 5 per cent off your game, it's not good enough.

"The effort wasn't to the standard that we're used to, but I don't think the boys are complacent or anything like that."