Last time Carlton had an AFL losing streak this long it prompted tanking questions and a change of coach, but Brett Ratten says he and his team will keep fighting.
The Blues sunk to their fourth straight defeat, against Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night, with the 18.12 (120) to 10.10 (70) loss compounded by a shoulder injury to fullback Michael Jamison.
It is the Blues’ longest losing streak since their equal club record 14-game drought over the end of the 2007 season and the start of 2008, which included Ratten’s first nine games in charge.
They face another tough challenge against Collingwood on Friday night.
But Ratten saw a few positive signs in the disappointing loss to the Hawks and said the Blues’ spirit was unbroken.
“Until you get the calculator out and it says you can’t (make finals), we will not be stopping in our pursuit to do that,” Ratten said.
“It’s about winning games of football and that’s what we’re here to do.
“We’ll keep pushing on, whether we can make finals, can’t make finals.”
While the Blues’ plight will cause speculation about Ratten’s future to intensify, club president Stephen Kernahan promised pre-game to continue backing him.
“Our coach has been under tremendous pressure, but we’ll stick fat at this football club behind our coach and our players,” Kernahan said on Friday night.
“We’re a united club. Tonight’s an important game, but it won’t be all over whatever happens. We’ll get a few players back and we’ll make a late assault, make no mistake.”
But while the Blues hoped their injury crisis would ease, they will be desperately hoping Jamison’s injury is not major.
With fellow tall backman Lachie Henderson likely to miss three or four more games with a groin injury, Ratten admitted it would be tough if Jamison faced a stretch on the sidelines.
“(I’ll be) maybe scratching my head to find a tall back,” he said.
But he said youngster Matthew Watson showed promise against the Hawks.
The in-form Hawks also have some issues.
Star forward Lance Franklin was outstanding, but needs scans after leaving the field late with hamstring tightness.
And defender Brent Guerra faces a likely suspension for a high bump on Carlton’s Eddie Betts, while the forward was bent over the ball.
