Carlton coach Brendon Bolton fumed at the one that got away after his side gave up a late lead against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
The Demons are the fashionable tip to make the leap into the finals this season, while not much is expected of the rebuilding Blues.
But a dogged Carlton held a slender three-point lead early in the final term before Melbourne ran over the top to record a 22-point win.
The Blues are winless after two rounds and Bolton was in no mood to settle for the gallant loss.
"It was one that got away ... (we're) disappointed (and) frustrated," Bolton said.
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"We have a high expectation of this group even though they're young.
"We know they're developing, we know they're learning but we got ourselves in a position at three-quarter time to win a game and some errors really hurt us.
"It's a really good learning opportunity but ... (we're) really frustrated that we didn't get a result."
The Blues didn't look capable of being in a winning position late in the game in a sloppy first quarter where Melbourne largely controlled the contest without hitting the scoreboard.
But Bolton praised the increased pressure his players were able to exert on the Demons that helped turn the tide.
Maligned midfielder Dale Thomas left the ground for treatment on a knee injury in the second quarter but returned to play a significant part in his side's resurgence.
"He's been working really hard," Bolton said.
"Even last week he worked hard.
"The game wasn't as consistent as he would have liked last week, like many of our players and us as a team, but he gave real effort."
Jack Silvagni (corked thigh) also required treatment in the second quarter but played out the game.
