CARLTON utility Andrew Walker says the Blues will be looking to address its lapses in concentration when it takes on Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
The Blues led by 30 points midway through the third term of last Friday night’s clash against Essendon when Eddie Betts goaled at the thirteen minute mark.
From there though, the Bombers kicked the next three goals in a 12 minute period to close the margin to 14 points at three-quarter time.
It was a lapse in concentration, Walker says, a 12 minute period that enabled Essendon to get itself back into the game and go on to kick five of the last seven goals to snatch an unlikely 5-point victory.
It’s not the first time this season, however, that Carlton have had a lapse in concentration that has enabled its opposition to gather momentum and take control of the match.
In its Round 3 match against Geelong, Carlton conceded seven goals in 14 minutes to end the second quarter as the Cats turned a 17 point deficit into a 19 point lead at the long break.
Geelong also then kicked five of the next seven goals to open up a match-winning lead at three-quarter time before the Blues switched back on to go down by 16 points.
Walker admits the lapses in concentration are an issue for the Blues, one that needs to be addressed quickly and in time for its important match against Hawthorn on Friday night.
“Basically it comes down to the players concentrating for the four quarters and putting in a four quarter effort,” he told SEN radio.
“We thought we played pretty well against them (Geelong) but once again we had that lapse in concentration for 15-20 minutes and a side like Geelong will get away from you pretty quickly in 15-20 minutes and as will the Hawks if we allow them that 15-20 minute lapse.”
The Blues utility says the narrow losses have been disappointing, given the talent running around in the navy blue.
Hawthorn has won the past nine matches between the two sides by an average of 41 points – a streak that shows the Hawks have undoubtedly had the Blues’ measure since 2005.
Walker thinks though the tide could be about to turn.
“They’ve been a side that has had our measure, so it’s going to be a massive test for us,” he said.
“We’ve got an extremely talented side and one thing that disappoints me is that we are so talented, yet for some reason we’re just falling short at the minute by that sort of two goals every week.
“We’ve shown we can match it with the best sides and I think we match up extremely well against Hawthorn so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
