Rd 1 2009 Photo Gallery
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Brett Ratten Post Match Media Conference
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CARLTON coach Brett Ratten believes his side has set a benchmark for 2009 after demolishing Richmond by 83 points at the MCG on Thursday night.
A thrilled Ratten told the media after the game that he was equally impressed with the way his players went about the task – their dictation of the contest – as he was with the final margin.
"I think it was just the way we played the game," he said. "Our pressure and our tackling … to have 81 tackles and 20 inside 50 tackles is an outstanding effort from our group.
"Our challenge now will be to back that up week-in, week-out."
While admitting he had pre-game concerns about fielding four debutants – Mitch Robinson, Jeff Garlett, Sam Jacobs and Aaron Joseph – Ratten said they inadvertently set the tone for the rest of the side.
"I suppose there’s always a bit of reservation but you try and tell Mitch Robinson that he’s only 19 and he’ll probably laugh at you, he’s that type of kid," he said.
"He’s on the front foot, he’s an extrovert and as you can see by the way he plays the game, he sort of plays like he’s been around for a bit longer.
"What they gave us was 100 per cent effort, 100 per cent of the time and you can’t knock that from anyone.
"I think that’s where we won the game because we got in first for the ball and those kids really helped us do that."
Robinson kicked three goals and laid six tackles while Garlett kicked one from a mark inside 50 and ended with 10 disposals.
Ratten was also hailed the performance of utility Jarrad Waite, who was matched to Richmond veteran Matthew Richardson on a wing but had three goals of his own three minutes into the second quarter.
He also nullified the influence of the loose-checking Tiger, even though Richardson finished with 25 possessions.
"That was the thing that maybe deflated Richmond in that Waite got on top of Richardson with hitting the scoreboard, and I think that really affected their group a little bit," Ratten said.
"Jarrad’s done the job on him before and he sort of relishes that challenge and he delivered tonight."
The Blues will look to start the season with two wins for the first time since 2000 when they host the Brisbane Lions at Docklands in 10 days' time.
