CARLTON skipper Chris Judd was left ruing critical missed chances after the Blues' finals campaign ended at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

The Blues overhauled an early deficit to take a seven-point lead in the final change but were on the wrong end of a thrilling comeback as the Swans took a five-point win to clinch a semi-final berth.

Judd missed two chances from close range in the third and fourth terms - on one occasion opting for a banana kick running into an open goal.

Jarrad Waite also sprayed a shot early in the final term, and after the game Judd admitted the misses had been costly.

"You have got to take your chances in finals, you see that time and time again," he said.

"We worked hard to get our chances and didn't take them. We were all part of that."

Of the shot he missed in the final term, he said: "It's one I should have kicked, there's not a lot to it."

The Swans tackled ferociously late in the game, and Judd said the Blues matched their opponents' workload.

"We worked hard today but weren't good enough to get it done," he said. "We'll have some time off and come back hungry next year. We really need to start to make some improvements now."

The Blues suffered a similar fate last year, losing an elimination final by seven points to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, and Judd said this year's result was a disappointment.

"Last year is a long time ago and as a group we wanted to improve on last year, which meant winning a final, but that's done now.

"We were really keen to improve on last year and we had that opportunity today and just fell short."

Asked who had stood out for the side this year, Judd pointed to a couple of Carlton's younger brigade.

"Some of our younger players are turning into more senior players," he said.

"Players like Jordan Russell, Jeff Garlett. A lot of our younger players have taken their game to the next level and a lot of others are ready to do that.

"Right now it's difficult to analyse what it all means. At the minute we're just consumed with the disappointment of losing a final."

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