"In the end it was the last quarter. We just couldn't get our hands on the footy – our run really dropped out," Ratten said.
After the Blues were six points ahead at three quarter time, the Magpies kicked 8.2 to 3.2 to run out winners.
"In the first quarter we had our opportunities to really hurt Collingwood. We should have been three or four goals up [at quarter-time]."
Ratten said despite the loss, he was proud of his players. He said it was the youngest team
"We didn't deserve to lose by four goals, and it was a real kick in the guts for our blokes who tried their hearts out.
"To come that close again is another whack around the head for our young group," Ratten said.
Ratten singled out several younger
"Ryan Jackson did a really good job when he went onto Tarkyn Lockyer in the third quarter, and Michael Jamison played a super first game. He kept Paul Medhurst quiet, and he played on talls and smalls," Ratten said.
"[Shaun] Grigg played really well on Heath Shaw and kept him to one possession in the third quarter."
Fevola kicked six goals, highlighting his importance to the team's structure.
"Brendan's had a thigh that's been tight over the last three weeks. It got really tight [today], so we got him off the ground to assess it quickly. He should be alright [for next week], we've just got to monitor it," Ratten said.
Other senior Blues players are possibly returning from injuries.
