Carlton's less agonising defeat in Perth by the same margin (three points) drew critical acclaim, because the Blues were wearing the white shorts at Subiaco and didn't have Bryce Gibbs, Matthew Kreuzer and Jarrad Waite.
But the loss still rankles. Carlton, which used the marketing slogan ''they know we're coming'' in 2010 and ''no passengers'' this year, might consider ''unfinished business'' as the sell for 2012.
Marc Murphy, magnificent as he was throughout 2011, missed gimme shots in the semi-final. The great Chris Judd was smothered by one of the non-Joel Selwoods. Bret Thornton had been carted off to hospital mid-match. Michael Jamison was underdone. The Blues could have been a contender. At the very least, they would have given Geelong a stronger contest than the enervated Eagles.

As the less seasoned campaigner, Carlton's pain is less acute than Hawthorn or Collingwood's. What the Blues have discovered, though, is genuine belief in their premiership bona fides. One can sense it in the way Ratten and key players carry themselves. No fans lust for a flag like Carlton's, the Blues having improved steadily every season since 2007. While they have holes at each end, their super midfield and improving defence puts them officially in premiership contention for the first time in a decade.

We weren't wearing white shorts

Yeah, read this over breakfast. Interesting slant from Jake Niall suggesting that Collingwood Hawthorn and Carlton are the three teams with most promise for 2012 fueled by the burn of 2011 and "what might have been".

We all feel that we are now close, but we'll need everything going for us injury wise, tactically (welcome aboard Willo), and particularly with player development of those half dozen who are on the cusp but need to (must) take the next step. Shaun Hampson, you're at the top of the list mate, along with Lucas, Tuohy, Watson, and Warnock. I'm also hoping and expecting a huge breakout year from Bryce and Matty Kreuzer. And hope that our top echelon have a good run with injury and dont drop off. All this together might almost get us over the line.

The cattle are there, we just need to ensure that we put some intensive Collingwood style development into some of the lesser lights to take the chocolates.

Won't be easy.

At the risk of being howled down, I actually think that Bryce hasn't got a lot of improvement in him. He is such a vanilla ice cream player. You like it and know exactly what you will get every time you buy one so you do. Unless he has a change of role, I think he will just go on doing what he does, play good, reliable footy every week. He doesn't have pace to burn. He rarely takes a pack mark, his skills are great already, he reads the play beautifully, plays every week (except one), gives it everything (even though he looks like he isn't). I just wonder how he can improve dramatically. Maybe you can enlighten me...
Murphy is another story. Apart from his annoyingh habit of ducking his head to get frees, he has developed into a dynamic payer, big tank, hard at it, inside outside, good hands and feet (apart from set shots at goal from close in ). I just can't see Gibbs changing dramatically as has Murphy or Robbo even. Kreuzer we should expect a big year from if he can stay on the park. He's had time and the opportunity to test his knee and now he can get into the pre-season and get fit. I want him to mark the footy more. That'll do me. The rest of his game isn't too bad. He even taps the footy OK for a kid.

He is such a vanilla ice cream player. You like it and know exactly what you will get every time you buy one so you do. Unless he has a change of role, I think he will just go on doing what he does, play good, reliable footy every week. He doesn't have pace to burn. He rarely takes a pack mark, his skills are great already, he reads the play beautifully, plays every week (except one), gives it everything (even though he looks like he isn't).