Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps says his side is still reeling over their two-points loss at the hands of Adelaide in round five, but will use it as fuel as they head into a tough month of footy.
The Blues’ undefeated streak ended thanks to a heroic Sam Berry goal that helped the Crows record their first win of 2024.
It was a shock to Carlton’s system, after going on an impressive nine-match win streak at the back end of 2023, before reaching a preliminary final.
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“We definitely butchered it, for sure,” Cripps said on Wednesday.
“There’s probably a few games this year too where we’ve clawed our way back and struggled over the line.
“It’s one we probably felt like we could have positioned to win the game.”
Cripps said the loss made the Blues even hungrier to knock the undefeated GWS Giants off their perch atop the table.
Their run following the Giants includes Sydney, Geelong, Collingwood and Melbourne, all sides who are genuine premiership contenders alongside the Blues.
“I wouldn’t say how difficult, I would say we embrace it,” he said.
“We love playing against the best teams.”
They’ll have to embrace those challenges without some key defensive cogs and a midfielder, however.
Adam Saad has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a medium-grade hamstring strain suffered against the Crows.
The Blues will also miss key defender Mitch McGovern for up to two weeks with a hamstring injury.
Adam Cerra is also out with a hamstring injury.
Cripps says the club is prepared to replace the trio, with a new found philosophy guiding them through.
“We talk about next man up and squad mentality, that’s the theory we’re going with,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that can fill roles.”
