Carlton would only have themselves to blame if they missed out on the 2024 AFL Finals Series.
Sunday's loss to St Kilda was dramatic and left the club's fate in the hands of Fremantle, who needed to beat Port Adelaide to replace the Blues in the eight.
However, two crucial moments under the roof at Marvel Stadium in the dying seconds of the game don't warrant Michael Voss' men's spot in this year's finals.
This is a systematic error that has plagued the club on multiple occasions.
With 49 seconds to go and leading by four points, there was a stoppage on the wing that slightly favoured the Saints in terms of field position.
The direction from St Kilda would be to get the ball out into space with players on the move, streaming toward goal. Carlton's objective would be to negate their opposition and cause repeat stoppages.
As we can see, St Kilda has saturated the stoppage and created space along the boundary line, which Brad Hill ultimately wins.
Firstly, Hill should not be denied a clear run into space, with checking from Oliver Hollands not up to scratch with the game on the line.
However, the hesitation from the Carlton midfielder (Matthew Kennedy - circled) to cut off the middle or man up the Saints rovers is a problem.
Not to mention Dougal Howard's ability to get free at the top of the 50-metre arc without being manned up.
Rolling the tape forward 10 seconds, we can see another instance where the Blues have not been able to get themselves ready in time, while an unwillingness to defend in the dying moments of the match proves costly.
As seen, the ball is just outside St Kilda's 50, meaning that the circled Carlton player (Jesse Motlop) should be side-by-side with Ryan Byrnes.
Fortunately for Motlop, there was a repeat stoppage leading to a ball-up right where the Telstra logo is.
However, the second time around, Motlop isn't so lucky, with Byrnes winning the ball and kicking it inside 50.
As the play unfolds, smarts from Jack Higgins to crumb in front of the pack see him lose Adam Saad and ultimately kick the winning goal.
Ironically, Carlton has been lauded for its clearance prowess, headed by captain Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.
The accompanying acts of George Hewett, Elijah Hollands, and, at times, Cooper Lord, Adam Cerra, Matthew Kennedy and Oliver Hollands have struggled to stack up at clutch times.
Statistically, the Blues hold an average differential of +1.8 clearances per game over its opponents in 2024, whilst its ability to win the ball in dispute sits slightly above the AFL average.
But situationally, when the whips are cracking, Carlton has failed in the big moments.
Brodie Kemp's miss will haunt him and the club but it wasn't the first time the Blues struggled to claim what could've been theirs.
Round 5 against Adelaide. Round 7 against Geelong. Round 8 against Collingwood. Round 17 against the Giants. Round 18 against the Western Bulldogs. Round 20 against Port Adelaide. Round 21 against Collingwood. And now more recently, Round 24 against St Kilda.
In games decided by 14 points or less, Carlton is 4-8, symptomatic of its inability to either close out games or hold onto leads.
In spite of this, Voss and his men will suit up in the 2024 finals series and will hope to regain some key soldiers for their clash with Brisbane.
The Blues have just under two weeks to work on their deficiencies and scope the Lions' assets.
And who knows, Carlton has shocked the AFL world in the finals before.
