Photo Gallery: Rd 8 2010 v Port Adelaide
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CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has praised his team's growing maturity after it climbed to fifth on the AFL ladder with a 26-point come-from-behind victory against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

The Blues shook off the effects of a five-day break and Ratten said it was momentum late in the third term that gave his side the victory.

 “I was really pleased with the fighting strength to come back in that third quarter when we were getting challenged,” he said.

“Short break, players down, to have the mental strength to get over the line was a great performance.”

Ratten blamed a lack of inside-50 pressure for his team's nine-point deficit at three-quarter time but applauded his side’s outstanding six-goal-to-one last-term turnaround.

“I pleaded with the forwards at three-quarter time to get to work and do something for us, offensively or defensively,” he said.

“If the ball comes out nice and easy it’s hard to defend, the midfield get caught offside and the ball moves from one end of the ground to the other”

Chris Judd (27 possessions and a goal) was inspirational, especially when the game was on the line, and ruckman Matthew Kreuzer’s performance (19 possession, three goals and 15 hit-outs) overshadowed veteran Power ruckman Dean Brogan (23 hit-outs).

The Blues coach said the club was trying to give its young ruckman more game time each week.

“It’s something we talk about at match committee every week.

“Matthew is a competitor and a great team player, so if we can get his game up to 75 per cent by the end of the year that’ll be great.”

The win was soured by the report of forward Jarrad Waite, who may have a case to answer at the tribunal this week after head-high contact on Jason Davenport.

Kane Lucas and Ryan Houlihan also both suffered leg strains, with Lucas unlikely to face Hawthorn at the Ethiad Stadium next week.