After struggling around the ball in recent weeks, the Blues dominated the clearance count 53-25 and won 177 contested possessions to 135 as they snapped a two-game losing streak.
"It was an area that we've been struggling with for the past four or five weeks, and to do what we did was really pleasing today," Ratten said.
"[At training during the week] we concentrated on areas that we needed to improve on, and they were a physical part of the game.
"So we weren't shying away from it.
"We had to train it, prepare ourselves and then execute it on game day, so it was pretty significant in our week."
Without injured midfielders Andrew Carrazzo and Marc Murphy, Carlton got strong service from Mitch Robinson (33 disposals, seven clearances, and eight tackles), Brock McLean (33, six, and five), David Ellard (30, three, and seven) and skipper Chris Judd (21, four and three).
Ratten also noted the performance of ruckman Robert Warnock, who in his first senior appearance of the season, had 33 hit-outs and six clearances.
"I thought the four players that played around the ball were outstanding all day," the coach said.
"I thought their contested ball and their clearance work was really good.
"Then you can add Warnock's performance ... he's done an outstanding job for us.
"So those men really started the ball going our way, which was absolutely brilliant."
After being in and out of the Carlton team for much of his time at the Blues, McLean said he was pleased to turn in a strong performance against his former club.
"The past couple of weeks, the areas we've highlighted in our review have been contested ball and clearances, and that's something I pride myself on, so to get the opportunity today, I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers," McLean said.
Ratten said late withdrawals Lachie Henderson (groin) and Chris Yarran (toe) would be "close" to being fit to face Port Adelaide next week, as would Nick Duigan (calf).
He said key forward Jarrad Waite (back) would have further assessment.
Andrew Collins finished the game on the bench with his ice wrapped around his knee, but Ratten said early signs indicated there was no serious damage.
"He feels alright now," Ratten said.
"He'll get a scan just to make sure, but I think he'll be alright for next week."
