CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton could not help but feel that his team let an opportunity go begging after the Blues' 22-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
The Blues led the Demons by three points at three-quarter time but allowed Melbourne to kick six goals in the final term to claim the result.
A frustrated Bolton said a couple of costly mistakes from his side in the final term proved to be the difference in the contest.
"That was one that got away," Bolton said.
"We have high expectations of this group, even though they are young, we know they're developing, we know they're learning but we got ourselves into a position at three-quarter time to win the game.
"But some errors hurt us and they got us on turnover in the last quarter.
"It's a really good learning opportunity but one that I know us as coaches, supporters and also players are really frustrated that we didn't get the result."
The Blues led by as much as eight points at the midway point of the third quarter and they finished the match with two more inside 50s than their opponents.
Carlton midfielder Dale Thomas came in for some heavy criticism during the week after an average performance against Richmond in the season opener.
Five talking points: Melbourne v Carlton
Thomas, who is in the final year of a four-year contract at Carlton (although it has been reported he has a trigger clause that would allow him to play on in 2018 if he activates it) had just one disposal in the first quarter and four to half-time.
However, despite being hampered by a knee injury that was heavily bandaged, he fought on and was one of Carlton's key contributors and finished the match with 20 disposals and five inside 50s.
A second-quarter 'hanger' was reminiscent of his trademark Collingwood days and it also led to an important goal from teammate Dennis Armfield as the siren rang to signal half-time.
"He's been working really hard, Daisy," Bolton said.
"Even last week he worked hard. He wasn't as consistent as he would like last week, like many of our players, but he gave real effort."
WATCH: Brendon Bolton's full post-match media conference
Bolton said Thomas did not have any ill-effects from the knock to the knee in the second quarter.
"I think he's OK, he came back on. It's always a good sign when guys come back on."
Jack Silvagni (corked glute) and Jacob Weitering (hip) also suffered minor niggles through the game.
"It's what you need to do in this game," Bolton said.
"Every team gets knocks so being able to endure and push through is an expectation that we have of our players, irrespective of age.
"'Weiters' copped a knock last week; he'll cop plenty more knocks. You've got to be able to play that way."
