Photo Gallery: Rd 8 2010 v Port Adelaide
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CARLTON defender Michael Jamison says the Blues defence is jelling together well, after they restricted Port Adelaide to a mere goal in the final term on Sunday afternoon at AAMI Stadium.
The Blues blew the Power out of the water after three quarter time, with 16 inside 50s to eight and Jamison was impressed by his team’s maturity and constant development.
“It’s probably a game we would have let slip in the past,” he said.
“Coming off a light week and probably not playing that well for three quarters it was really character building,” he said.
The Blues ran the game out impressively after a five-day turnaround from last week’s 61-point thrashing of St. Kilda.
Jamison, who kept small forward Brett Ebert out of the game and conceded only one goal, said this week's recovery was exactly what they needed to make sure everything was right.
Bryce Gibbs (23 possessions and six marks) was pivotal in the Blues defence, rebounding well from the defensive 50 and limiting Daniel Motlop’s impact (nine possessions and two goals).
“Bryce plays a good defensive role if we need it but also gives us that run and drive,” he said.
Jamison said the Blues had discussed Port Adelaide’s ability to finish games strongly prior to the game.
“We placed extra emphasis on this game because we were seventh and they were sixth,” he said.
“We identified they were a good last quarter side so to run over the top of them was great.”
Carlton faces an out-of-form Hawthorn at Ethiad Stadium next Sunday, but Jamison says it will be no walk in the park.
“Hawthorn is one of those sides that regardless of form or position on the ladder, it’s always going to be a struggle to beat,” he said.
“If we’re not on top of our game we’ll get beaten every time."
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