Matthew Kennedy on Carlton Blues’ narrow win over Melbourne Demons, fade, midfield, substitution, George Hewett, Michael Voss, latest news

Carlton midfielder Matt Kennedy admitted the Blues were “reactive” at the end of Thursday night’s narrow one-point win over Melbourne and says his team is still trying to rediscover the lead that took them to the finals of the year past.

Despite being in control for most of the MCG clash, including the first six goals, the Blues faded to the Demons in the final quarter, conceding the last four majors in a near collapse.

Michael Voss’ side had no answers for Christian Petracca’s five-goal masterclass but still kept their cool when it counted for another close victory in a positive Blues stamp dating back to last year’s finals series.

Watch every match from every round of this season of the Toyota AFL Premiership LIVE with no ad breaks during the game on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

speaking to foxfooty.com.au After the match, Kennedy admitted the Blues “tried to save the game” and went into their shell too early, while Melbourne “went for it”.

“When you do that, you question yourself and you’re a little defensive. We just did it,” Kennedy said.

“I think we became a little reactive and that’s not the way we want to play. We want to defend hard but continue to be aggressive with our game.

“We have learned a lot, especially this year, we have been in many close games. You can’t afford to lose that connection, you have to get back to your role and the next task at hand.

“We made a lot of mistakes tonight, but we were able to stay together, which is hard to do in those moments. There will be many learnings from tonight’s game. The best thing is that we leave with the four points.”

Kennedy praised Petracca, who he was paired with to start the game before the Demon superstar went on the attack to almost single-handedly turn the contest around.

“He is a strange player, he is very good. He was a very good presence for them,” Kennedy said.

“We tried everything to stop him, but he was too good. “Sometimes you just have to give credit to those players.”

After Petracca’s striker change, Kennedy played predominantly with Jack Viney, labeling the Dees midfielder a “beast” and saying he had “never played with anyone like that before.”

With the win, the Blues improved to 6-3 and bounced back from last week’s loss to arch-rivals Collingwood on a night when Carlton’s midfield was below its best.

Typically such a strong part of the field for Voss’ team, the Blues players lowered their colors against the Pies, even losing crucial games at key stages.

“We lost a little bit of our DNA in terms of pressure,” Kennedy admitted.

“Last year, when our season changed, we really valued pressure and defense and everyone got involved from that.

“I think we’ve gotten away from that a little bit. We’ve tried to make a game that’s too sexy, if you want to call it that.

“We need to change course and really pursue it. “We will look to increase that.”

Kennedy returned to the Blues 22 this week after being surprisingly substituted against Collingwood, while fellow midfielder George Hewett was handed the vest against Melbourne in another curious call from Voss.

The Blues coach explained after the game that they were simply “sharing the load” and adopting a “team mentality” over a “long season.”

“We realize that it is a long year and we have been fortunate to recover more bodies. Hopefully that puts more pressure on the players in their positions, because that takes it to the next level,” Voss told reporters.

“We have the personnel to be able to continue to find a way and continue to challenge others. “If we can share the burden, that’s what we will continue to do.”

Voss also noted that his star-studded midfield, which could be without Adam Cerra for the next few weeks due to a hamstring injury, “haven’t played together much” and are still looking to develop “relationships” on the field and “cohesion”.

Sitting 6-3 in fifth position with the rest of the round still to be played, Kennedy suggested the Blues can still reach another level in a season in which the club began with high expectations of fighting for the flag.

“We are preparing at the moment and at the moment we are not at the level that we value in terms of defense and even a little bit of attack,” he said.

“But we are learning, growing and adapting. The game plan always changes, we are modifying some things.

“You have to be able to adapt, otherwise you will be left behind. Right now there is work to do and we know it as a team. “We are playing well, but we know we can be better.”