Frustration over off-target Blues
Brett Ratten rues the team's poor kicking for goal after the defeat in Sydney
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CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has rued his side's poor kicking for goal after the Sydney Swans defeated the Blues by 17 points on Saturday.
A wasteful Carlton booted 9.13 to register its second loss on the trot after a four-point reversal to the Bombers last week.
Ratten half-joked there would be kicking practice each day this week ahead of the Blues' round-five clash with the Western Bulldogs at Docklands next week.
"That's the frustrating point about this week and last week. We had numerous opportunities and we squandered them again," he said after the game.
"We'll sit back and look at the tape and be frustrated as hell."
The Blues got off to a flier in the first quarter, taking a slender lead into the first break and dominating possessions 118 to 64.
But the Blues failed to kick accurately and were made to pay. The Swans turned up the heat on the Blues to grab the lead and hold onto to it until the final siren.
"Another good start, but we had that with Essendon and against them we lose by four points and today we lost by under three goals," lamented Ratten.
"Maybe our turnovers hurt us big time and they got some soft goals because of that and that sort of deflates your confidence.
"We might do kicking training Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday… and hopefully by the time we get through to next week, we'll kick them through the sticks."
Ratten rejected the idea that expectations were too high after the Blues were 2-0 following wins over Richmond and the Brisbane Lions, but he did concede the last fortnight had been under par.
"We've been pretty good in that we've been able to score and kick goals. But the last two weeks have been a real burden to us.
"I don't think it's a mental thing. It's just the way it's panned out. Some of the guys have been scoring 18 out of 20 for their set shots in training but on match day we just need to get back on the horse.
"There are no excuses. We had our opportunities but by the end the Swans were at their best and they strangled us. They do that very well."