Rd 21 Photo Gallery
Click Here

CARLTON ruckman/forward Matthew Kreuzer says that, like his team, his own game was down a little but improved after a slow start against Melbourne on Saturday.

The 20-year-old finished with 19 disposals and a game-high 16 hit-outs, but admitted he struggled early.

"I was probably down a little bit at the start – I was feeling a little bit flat so I worked into it slowly, but it was an okay game, it was good to get the win," he told carltonfc.com.au after the match.

"It was a different game – we came out and wanted to practice our set-ups and get everything right and play our game of footy, but it took us a while to get going.

"Our pressure and that wasn't quite there at the start, but we chipped away at it slowly and sort of got better towards the end.

"They obviously came out to play hard, and beat us inside at the start, so we knuckled down and came back."

Like his coach Brett Ratten, Kreuzer was impressed with youngster Jeff Garlett, who kicked four goals and worked hard off the ball in just his ninth game at AFL level.

"He was amazing for us today – the energy he brought to the forward line with his chasing and tackling was great.

"He probably gave off a few goals as well, so it was great to see him kick four goals as well."

Brendan Fevola is 10 clear of Lion Jonathan Brown in the race for the Coleman Medal, and kicked seven today, with five of those coming in the second half.

Kreuzer said the improved delivery after half time had made life easier for Fevola.

"It was probably the way we were giving him the footy – mucking around in the middle, handballing a few too many times.

"In the second half when we got over the centre we kicked the footy, and with Fev one-out, not many people can beat him."