Carlton coach Michal Voss says he won't "settle" for his team's performance against Geelong on Saturday, despite the close 13-point loss at the MCG.

For most of the match, the Cats had the better of the Blues, kicking straighter and always holding the club at bay, which included jumping out to a 32-point lead during the fourth term.

To their credit, Carlton stormed back into the contest, trailing by eight points with three minutes to go, but ultimately, ran out of time as Geelong remained undefeated after Round 7.

Voss didn't want to pick out any positives from the game despite some brilliant individual performances, suggesting it's a team sport and "in some ways you deserve what you get".

"I don't want us to settle that it was a good effort, or that it was close," Voss said post-match

"It was unacceptable and we've got to be better.

"We'd like to think that we benchmark ourselves off our own standards and we fell below those tonight on defending, so we've got to be better.

"We've got to expect better from each other.

"We shouldn't need the game to get to that stage to feel like we need to snatch it. In some ways, you deserve what you get.

"We had individuals, I'm not really in the mood to talk up individuals today to be truthful. It takes a team to come out and play well โ€ฆ and as a team we didn't get the job done, so I'd like to think we all take ownership of that."

Carlton led all critical statistics on Saturday, including disposals (368-333), inside 50s (66-45), clearances (44-38), contested possessions (139-120) and tackles inside 50 (24-8) yet failed to capitalise on their dominance, leading for two minutes early in the match.

 

Geelong's efficiency was a site to behold, smashing their average from scores to inside 50s, recording a 62.2% (28 scores from 45 entries) return.

The Cats - who sit 7-0 - have done things unconventionally in 2024, proving to be a competition leader in radical changes that rival clubs cannot contend with.

Jeremy Cameron's five-goal performance was arguably his best of the season but mostly didn't come by sitting deep inside 50.

Cameron has been given license to roam up the ground as he sees fit and use his aerobic capacity and freakish athleticism to burn his opponents as the Cats transition forward.

Gryan Miers is quickly becoming the game's best connector in the front half, backing up his record-breaking goal-assist year in 2023 by consistently getting involved in the scoring chains.

The Cats will sweat on captain Patrick Dangerfield's injury, with a suspected hamstring issue following the win.

Dangerfield was subbed out during the third term as Scott said: "I just know it's a hamstring.

"I could speculate but I don't think that helps.

"He was subbed off with a hamstring and the club will give a little bit more detail as the week goes on, but I'm not sure at the moment."

Geelong will return to the MCG next Saturday to face fourth-placed Melbourne in what is sure to be another blockbuster clash.