Carlton coach Michael Voss lauded his "brave" players despite watching them throw away victory against Melbourne late in a five-point AFL defeat.
The fallout from Carlton's horror final two minutes in a heartbreaking loss to Melbourne will dominate AFL airwaves but coach Michael Voss wants to focus on the positives.
The Blues coughed up multiple opportunities to close out Saturday night's arm wrestle at the MCG, ultimately conceding two late goals to lose by five points.
In doing so, they missed the chance to confirm a first finals appearance in nine years.
The result left Voss "gutted" but the first-year Blues boss was full of praise for his "brave" players, knowing their 2022 fate is still in their own hands.
"Some of the structure was there but some of the detail that we need to be able to finish off the game, we just couldn't get that right in the last two minutes," Voss said.
"I understand that will be part of the conversation, but I'd rather it be a conversation around how we played throughout the game.
"As disappointed as we are, we walk away knowing that we can tidy up a couple of things in that place.
"The game itself was a high-pressure game, it had a finals look about it and we brought a style of footy that really stacks up. I'd like for us to do that again."
Carlton must avoid defeat against arch-rivals Collingwood in round 23 - or hope the Western Bulldogs fall short against Hawthorn - in order to play in September.
Up to 90,000 fans could be on hand at the MCG on Sunday, with the Magpies jostling for a top-four spot.
"It's really exciting for us," Voss said.
"I've spoken about the opportunity and it's about exposure for us playing in these sorts of games.
"It can only be good thing for us and how we grow and develop out of this as a footy team."
Voss expects Adam Cerra to return against Collingwood after the midfielder was a late withdrawal from the Melbourne clash because of adductor tightness.
Fellow midfielder Matthew Kennedy has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.
