AN INABILITY to hit simple targets cost Carlton a chance at victory on Friday night against Richmond, according to interim Blues' coach John Barker.
In a grinding, low-standard game where Richmond ran out 30-point winners, Barker also said the ferocious approach his team had employed in recent weeks was missing.
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Barker made no excuses for the loss, despite suggesting the Blues "probably didn't get the rub of the green from the umpires", and said the team would continue to work on every aspect of the game to get better.
"At critical moments we're not just executing as well as we need to be if we want to be a good AFL team," he said.
Click here to watch John Barker's full post-match press conference
"I think a lot of the options we tried to take and we missed were options that were open, and we've got to be better at hitting them.
"We shot ourselves in the foot."
Barker praised ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (14 possessions), whose presence was important throughout as he attacked every contest fiercely. Barker was disappointed more of Kreuzer's teammates didn't follow his lead.
"What we need is 22 players with that sort of effort and that sort of attitude," Barker said.
The coach admitted the loss of Michael Jamison early to injury was important in the result, but it gave Tom Fields a chance to learn some lessons on debut.
After clashing with Ty Vickery and being subbed out in the first term, Jamison was sent to hospital for precautionary scans on his cheekbone along with Dennis Armfield, who had X-rays on his forearm.
Barker admitted Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy were hurt during the game although he was uncertain as to the extent of their injuries.
Gibbs had his shoulder heavily iced after the game, however Barker remained hopeful both would be available for next week's clash with Fremantle.
The coach knows the Carlton senior job is up for grabs, and that every game is an audition for him. But he said his only focus is preparing the team each week to perform.
"The team's best interests [is] the foundation of what we do," Barker said.
"The bulk of my work is about preparing the team as best we can, week in, week out."
John Barker was full of praise for Matthew Kreuzer's performance on Friday. Picture: AFL Media
