MATCH RECAP

• Melbourne came back from 43 points during the early stages of the second quarter to win by 23 points
• The Blues once again fell to pieces in the second half only scoring 4.7 to the Demons 14.4
• This now means Carlton have scored 11.18.(84) in the second half this season whilst conceding 36.21.(237).
• Carlton are now 1-2 and sit 16th on the ladder

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Voss: “I’m pretty filthy”

Carlton coach Michael Voss has spoken following Carlton's 23-point loss against the Demons.

It proved to be a storyline that Blues fans are all too use to on Sunday with Carlton dominating the first half before the Demons worked their way back to win the match.

Speaking in his press conference, the former Lions captain expressed his disappointment in the loss.

"I'm pretty filthy," Voss said during his press conference.

“We’re putting ourselves into great positions and we’re handing it back.

“That sounds like I’m taking away something from Melbourne because you’ve got to be able to go at the game and challenge the opposition and turn the momentum your way.

“But we’re also not helping ourselves.

"We have to own it, that’s the first thing we have to do.”

Voss also believes that the leaders including himself cannot ignore the issue of their third quarter fades.

"I don't think we can ignore it," he added.

"I think we have to accept some reality in that. I mean right now, my position is that we own it whatever that looks like.

"I'll always come back to process and make sure that we keep the process really simple.

"But that whole thing around staying connected as a football team and making sure we're playing the right way. There's got to be an energy towards that.

"And we're not able to sustain that for a long period of time. That starts with me as the leader, I'm not shying away from it nor will our leaders."

Maher: Embarrasing with a captial E

Death, taxes and Carlton finding a way to lose.

They had a lead of 34 points against Melbourne at the half-time break with the Demons kicking 1.6.

But in the second-half, Melbourne found their kicking boots managing to kick 14 goals (eight of those in the final quarter) to win by 23 points.

Reflecting on the result, passionate Carlton fan and co-host of SEN’s The Run Home Andy Maher made his feelings known about the result.

“Embarrassing with a capital E,” Maher said on SEN’s Blues Radio towards the end of the match.

“They've done nothing to change it up around the ball, which is maybe we've got no options.

“I mean, honestly, Kouta (Anthony Koutoufides) if this was happening to you (at) a suburban level, you wouldn't cop it.

“You'd rip the blokes out and you'd put other blokes out, you just would.

“Look at the Carlton fans swarming out of this joint. Like they've had enough, they've had enough, and you know what's gonna happen.

“Talk back tonight, talk back tomorrow, Sammy (Edmund) you and I are gonna be on the end of this all day tomorrow.

“Same old story.”

And post-game, he doubled down on his thoughts.

“I feel for Carlton supporters. They can play footy at a decent level but something is not working either from coach to players or players to players," he said.

"There is a block there. They aren’t getting the same work rate or effort in the second halves of matches.

"They had enough of the footy, the numbers don’t lie for Carlton. Its having bravery and having the confidence is on another. I am sure Vossy has said ‘just keep going’.

"Something upstairs isn’t working. They’re all fit. There is a block. Whatever the block is, they don’t believe they can run games out.

Koutoufides: (Melbourne) looked a class above us by the end

For former captain and Blues legend Anthony Koutoufides, he took aim at the midfield and the inability to make any changes to during the second half as the tide turned on Carlton.

“This is why it's important to trial players in different positions, because in times like this is when you can reach out to them,” Koutoufides explained.

“If we looked in the first half, the Carlton midfield dominated Melbourne.

“If you look in the second half, the midfield, mate, the possessions, all of a sudden where Carlton was on top, Melbourne just gradually went on (and) went ahead of them.

“They just look like a class above us by the end of it because the quality of their players and the speed out of the middle.

“We know (Max) Gawn (is) a dominant ruckman, but you prepare for that.

“But look, he dominated and (Kysaiah) Pickett when we had him under control, he started well, he went quiet for a little while, but we've seen it in the 3rd quarter, we're like, have a look at him.

“It makes a big difference.”

Koutoufides also noted the impact that Carlton's Round 2 bye had believing it may of affected their mental performance.

“I don't like the 17-day break after two games,” he explained.

“I think your mental state just drags down a little. “I like the fact that, mate, we play every week and so you're focused on that.

“But to their credit they started well today so no criticism to it, but we have to change things around.”

Carlton will next feature on Friday against North Melbourne for the Good Friday clash.