Michael Voss does not know if Carlton’s win over Geelong will show to be a landmark second of their AFL premiership hunt.
But a tense eight-point victory towards the reigning premiers, who launched a spirited fightback within the closing quarter, will surely match the invoice.
Throw within the truth the Blues additionally ended a horror run in shut matches, and it might be simply the turning level they’ve been searching for.
“It’s a significant win,” Voss stated after the 13.12 (90) to 12.10 (82) victory on Thursday night time.
“When you stack up all the things that were around us, the discussion around us and what we needed to be able to execute, you get a lot of confidence out of that and a lot of belief.
“We’ve constructed that over pre-season however nonetheless as a participant and a coach you wish to see that activated.”
Carlton conceded late goals in each of their previous three matches, including a pair of heartbreaking defeats to Melbourne and Collingwood that cost them a finals berth last year.
It happened again in the 2023 season-opening draw with Richmond, putting the Blues under an intense spotlight.
Harry McKay, Jesse Motlop and Lochie O’Brien were among the players who copped external heat over individual errors during the fallout as the Blues went to school on the tape.
“There have been some guys there that had some robust learnings however what we have been assured of was our system was standing up,” Voss stated.
“There have been a number of little choices that we would have liked to make higher to right it.
“Tonight (against Geelong) we were sort of absorbing a bit from seven minutes to go and it wasn’t quite going the way we wanted it.
“But within the final three-and-a-half minutes, I assumed we executed very well.”
Carlton’s 28-point lead was whittled away to just eight after Geelong star Jeremy Cameron’s third goal of the final quarter, but they held on in the dying stages.
The Blues tackle GWS at Giants Stadium in spherical three.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
