Judd relinquishes Blues leadership

Updated December 10, 2012 14:41:16

Carlton superstar Chris Judd has confirmed he will not captain the AFL club next year.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist, who captained West Coast to the 2006 premiership, has skippered the Blues for five seasons since joining them at the end of 2007.

But the 29-year-old said with new coach Mick Malthouse taking over it was the right time to bring in a new skipper.

Judd will step outside the club's leadership group completely.

Carlton does not expect to name a new captain until February, with Marc Murphy and Andrew Carrazzo considered front-runners.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the past five years," Judd said.

"However I have decided I want to step down and hand the job over to someone else and with a new coach it seemed like the right time for a fresh start at the club.

"At this stage of my career, I am looking forward to getting back to enjoying the essence of footy and not having as much responsibility around the club as I have had in previous years.

"I certainly won't be pushing any less hard to bring success and will still have an active role, however it just won't be in an official leadership capacity."

Blues football manager Andrew McKay said Judd had set the benchmark for discipline and professionalism and that was not expected to change with him no longer carrying a leadership title.

"We expect his influence to continue," McKay said.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, australia

First posted December 10, 2012 14:41:16

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Malthouse says he had no input on Blues axings

Updated September 10, 2012 15:30:32

Mick Malthouse says he had nothing to do with Carlton's decision to sack three assistant coaches.

Malthouse has distanced himself from the axing of three assistant coaches at Carlton, the club he could join as early as tomorrow.

There is little doubt that the three-time premiership coach will take over from Brett Ratten as Blues senior coach.

Carlton may announce Malthouse's appointment on Tuesday morning.

But Malthouse insists he had nothing to do with the departures of Mark Riley, Paul Williams and Alan Richardson, who learnt last week they will not see out their contracts.

"That is an internal process that Carlton has run with, that is the way it has worked out, Malthouse told 3AW on Sunday.

"I do not sack people when I have not signed with the football club - what say have I got?

"They make the decisions."

Malthouse admitted when he was senior coach at Collingwood, there was a "difference of opinion" involving Richardson and other members of the football department.

Richardson, a highly-rated assistant coach, eventually left the club.

"The issues were not necessarily with myself - but he had a problem or a run-in with another assistant coach and into the fitness section," Malthouse said.

Carlton could appoint Malthouse in the next couple of days, after they sacked Ratten before round 23.

Malthouse's long-time friend Robert Wiley is tipped to be one of the Blues' new assistant coaches.

The club also announced last Thursday that development coach Darren Harris would leave in November and return to Perth.

AAP

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First posted September 10, 2012 15:28:05

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Blues hope to unleash Murphy

Updated July 10, 2012 17:45:58

Carlton star Marc Murphy is training well in his bid to return from a shoulder injury, while Jarrad Waite is at least another week away.

Murphy has been out of action since the round eight match against Adelaide, but could be a key inclusion for Friday night's crucial encounter with North Melbourne.

"He was out on the track, but we'll just have to see how he pulls up and what the risk is to play him," Blues' coach Brett Ratten said.

"We think he's heading in the right direction, but we'll make a call after today and then we'll see how he goes Thursday.

"He's not a lock-in. Things can change fairly quickly so let's see how he pulls up.

"He's having more physical tests on him, so he's going well."

Both sides are locked on seven wins and sit outside the top eight ahead of Friday night's match.

Midfielder Kade Simpson is expected to miss at least four matches with a fractured jaw.

Ratten says tall utility Lachie Henderson (groin) and big forward Waite (back) are unlikely to resume this week.

Meanwhile, Ratten says the Blues have not joined the race for Collingwood forward Travis Cloke's signature.

He says he expects Cloke to re-sign with the Magpies.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053

First posted July 10, 2012 17:45:58

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Blues face uphill task to down Bombers

Gerard Whateley

Updated August 17, 2012 12:04:36

Carlton can't win this.

On paper they do not match-up anywhere near right.

They just have no tall defenders. I think Essendon will play them in a fairly aggressive match and it will be high scoring unless the weather closes in.

The rain's supposed to stop in the morning and I don't see how Crameri, Hurley and Ryder wouldn't combine for a winning score.

I don't want to be unfair to them but Carlton has gone from being a team aiming to a top four finish to one out mediocre wins to try to grip to the bottom of the eight.

They are a world away from where they expected to be and while they have been able to do it. I keep thinking back to that Bulldogs night.

I know they were missing a third of their team and all but they just looked terrible. I don't think they were overly convincing against the Lions.

The Bombers are coming back to an upswing and I think they've got Carlton at exactly the right time.

Gerard Whateley was speaking to Grandstand Sports Breakfast on August 17.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, carlton-3053

First posted August 17, 2012 11:53:53

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Blues to give injured Judd time to heal

Updated June 15, 2012 12:05:28

Carlton coach Brett Ratten has finally admitted star midfielder Chris Judd is carrying an injury, but says he will keep the exact nature of the ailment in-house.

Judd looked well below his best in Thursday night's 10-point loss to West Coast in Perth, with the former Eagles skipper restricted to just 12 possessions by tagger Scott Selwood.

The match was Carlton's fourth within the space of 18 days, and Ratten said the heavy workload had taken a toll on Judd's body.

Ratten refused to go into details about Judd's injury, but said he was hopeful the upcoming bye would give the 28-year-old enough time to recover ahead of season-defining clashes against Hawthorn and Collingwood.

"I think he's really looking forward to the break," Ratten said after the 10.19 (79) to 10.9 (69) loss, which left Carlton in ninth spot with a 6-6 record.

"He's had to do a fair bit of work to get himself up to play each week.

"He'll really thrive from having a few days off.

"He should be right, but he's just got to work through this bit with that injury and take the time to heal.

"We've got 15 days so that will allow him to get a bit of recovery."

Although Carlton has dropped five of its past six games, Ratten remains optimistic about his team's finals chances after pushing Geelong and West Coast all the way in recent weeks.

"We haven't lost hope, we've just lost two games of football by 12 and 10 points," Ratten said.

"They're arm-wrestles against very good teams.

"We've still got to aim to get as high as we can get. The great thing is we're going to get (Jeremy) Laidler back, we're going to start to get a few players back and that will start to help shape the team.

"We need to do a bit of work in making sure we have the opportunity, but we've just got challenges in front of us, like Hawthorn when we get back (after the bye)."

Meanwhile, injured Carlton duo Marc Murphy and Laidler are expected to receive a 'please explain' from the AFL after criticising the umpires of the Blues-Eagles match through Twitter.

Murphy tweeted: "Ruined a good game these blokes", while Laidler put up a post saying: "Are you not meant to try and b 1st in at the footy anymore. If u do u will be pinned for holding the ball. SHOCKING!!!"

AAP

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First posted June 15, 2012 12:00:25

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Eagles add to Blues' misery

Updated June 14, 2012 23:04:26

West Coast moved to the top of the ladder with a gritty 10-point win over Carlton at Subiaco Oval on Thursday evening.

The Eagles claimed a 9-2 return from their 11 matches with the 10.19 (79) to 10.9 (69) triumph over the Blues, having trailed by three points at the final change.

The hosts were wayward on goal, with 19 behinds from their scoring shots, but Jack Darling proved a valuable contributor with three majors, two of which came in the fourth quarter.

Lachie Henderson and Matthew Kreuzer managed doubles for the Blues, who now hold a 6-6 record from their 12 appearances.

The Eagles' Eric Mackenzie says the home side refused to panic when the Blues entered the final quarter in front.

"[We were] a little bit worried in the third quarter, but we knew they were going to have to run out that last quarter and that is one of our strengths," he told Grandstand.

The Eagles shot out to a 26-point lead late in the second quarter, but their inaccurate kicking for goal came back to haunt them as the Blues slammed through the next five goals to take the lead.

The visitors held their narrow advantage at three-quarter time, but two quick goals to Eagles forward Darling in the last term turned the match on its head.

Blues captain Judd endured a frustrating night on his former stomping ground opposed to Scott Selwood, and the former Eagles skipper lost his cool late in the match after giving away a free kick to Dean Cox in a marking contest.

The two-time Brownlow medallist and Eagles premiership captain exchanged harsh words with Matt Priddis amidst some push-and-shove.

And Judd was left stunned seconds later when he gave away a 50-metre penalty for a soft elbow nudge on Priddis.

The Blues' fifth loss from their past six matches leaves them outside the top eight with a worrying 6-6 record ahead of their bye week.

And it does not get any easier for Brett Ratten's charges, with tough matches against Hawthorn and Collingwood to come after the weekend off.

The Eagles' ninth win of the year was enough to lift them back to the top of the ladder in what was a perfect way to celebrate their 600th match in the competition.

Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui was best afield with 25 possessions, seven tackles and 31 hit-outs, and the high-leaping Fijian almost kicked a contender for goal of the year after embarking on a dazzling run from the middle.

Priddis, Selwood and Darling were also crucial in the Eagles' 17th straight win at Subiaco Oval.

Blues tagger Andrew Carrazzo, playing his first match since injuring his shoulder in round four, was brilliant in restricting Daniel Kerr after quarter-time, while Heath Scotland was also impressive in his return from a calf injury.

The Eagles were dealt a blow late in the match when in-form defender Will Schofield appeared to injure his hamstring.

Darling is likely to be given a reprimand for staging after throwing his head back theatrically following a hard but fair tackle from Scotland around the chest.

Eagles: 10.19 (79) - Darling 3, Cox 2, Lynch, Kerr, Schofield, Hams

Blues: 10.9 (69) - Kreuzer 2, Henderson 2, Walker, Garlett, Armfield, Tuohy, Simpson, Collins

AAP/ABC

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First posted June 14, 2012 22:24:57

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Blues fined for umpire tweets

Updated June 19, 2012 17:49:14

Carlton has been fined $7,500 for critical comments directed at umpires from players via Twitter.

Injured players Marc Murphy, Jeremy Laidler and Jarrad Waite slammed officials during the match against West Coast at Subiaco Oval in Round 12.

During the match Murphy wrote "Ruined a good game those blokes", Laidler described the officiating as "shocking" and Waite retweeted his wife's comment that one of the umpires should receive Brownlow votes.

Brett Ratten was also warned about his conduct due to his own criticism of umpires in his press conference.

AFL general manager of football operations Adrian Anderson said the punishment was comparably low - $2,500 for each player's offence - due to the club's cooperation in the matter and the player's admission of guilt.

"The AFL will not tolerate public denigration of humiliation of umpires as we continue to face very real problems with the retention of umpires throughout Australia," Anderson said.

"The Sanders Report into Umpiring highlighted the need for the AFL to have a zero-tolerance approach to criticism of umpires.

"A player's use of social media to make comments around umpiring will be subject to the AFL's rules in exactly the same way as comments made in a formal interview or any other media environment, as the AFL competition must continue to set a positive example on conduct towards umpires."

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First posted June 19, 2012 17:49:14

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Blues lock up key duo

Updated June 06, 2012 12:00:33

Carlton received a boost amid speculation about coach Brett Ratten's future, with star duo Matthew Kreuzer and Bryce Gibbs extending their contracts with the Blues.

The re-signing of Kreuzer and Gibbs, the number one picks in the national draft in 2007 and 2006 respectively, was seen as a priority for the Blues, as they attempt to consolidate their rosters.

Kreuzer has agreed to a three-year extension to his existing deal, while Gibbs will remain with the club until at least the end of the 2014 season.

The 23-year-old Kreuzer, who has as made 77 senior appearances with the Blues since debuting in 2008, says it was an easy decision to make to stick with the club.

"We have such a great group of guys here at the club and I am excited to be a part of this playing group," he said in a statement..

"This is my club, I have played all my senior football here and feel part of the Carlton family. The growth of the club since I arrived has been fantastic and I am looking forward to enjoying success with this playing group at Carlton."

Gibbs has been a member of the Blues' leadership group for the past two seasons.

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First posted June 06, 2012 12:00:33

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Port give Carlton the Blues

Updated June 02, 2012 23:11:23

Port Adelaide made a mess of pre-match predictions, winning its third game in a row with a 54-point belting of Carlton at Football Park on Saturday night.

The Power kicked five goals to three in the opening term and went on to steamroll the Blues 14.15 (99) to 6.9 (45) on a wet night in Adelaide.

On a night of upsets in the AFL, the Power were clearly the hungrier team in the contest all night.

The win for Matthew Primus' men followed victories over North Melbourne and Gold Coast - Carlton was expected to provide a much sterner test, but it never eventuated.

Port Adelaide's Matthew Broadbent told Grandstand the main goal before the game had been to stop the Blues dangerous outside runners like Chris Yarran, Jeff Garlett and Eddie Betts.

The trio averaged less than 10 disposals for the night in a clear win for the home side.

"It was a big focus, probably our biggest focus, we shut down their outside run and matched their inside run, which helped us get the ball forward in slippery conditions," he said.

Broadbent - who had 31 disposals, 3 tackles and two goals - said that the Power had taken heart from its final quarter comeback against the Kangaroos, and had carried a new confidence into succeeding weeks.

"I think that's where the confidence and belief comes from, a win like that, now we're rolling on with some momentum, and we're looking forward to next week against Hawthorn," he said.

Aside from big man Jay Schulz, who kicked three goals for the Power, the leading lights for the home side came from younger players like 22-year-olds Broadbent and Hamish Hartlett.

Hartlett had 26 touches, four marks, nine tackles and three goals in a best on ground display.

"It's been good, we've got a really good young group here and we're really excited about the future," Broadbent said.

Port Adelaide was only headed once at the 13 minute mark of the first quarter after a goal by Carlton's Andrew Walker.

Carlton could manage only 3.8 to Port's 9.13 after quarter time, and Port Adelaide's dominance in scoring shots (29-15) and inside 50s (61-41) told the story.

Port Adelaide: 14.15 (99) - Schulz 3, Hartlett 3, Broadbent 2, Brett Ebert, Pearce, P Stewart, Thomas, Westhoff, Wingard

Carlton: 6.9 (45) - Betts, Garlett, Gibbs, Hampson, McLean, Walker

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, port-adelaide-5015, carlton-3053, sa, australia, vic

First posted June 02, 2012 22:34:59

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Blues struggle to beat determined Demons

Updated May 27, 2012 18:53:20

Carlton struggled for three quarters before overwhelming the Demons by 58 points at the MCG on Sunday.

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has faced immense pressure after the team's winless start to the season, but his players showed plenty of fight until the Blues finally broke clear to win 15.17 (107) to 6.13 (49).

There were injury worries for both teams after the game.

Melbourne veteran forward Brad Green was taken to hospital after suffering a severe lung injury in a first quarter collision with Carlton's Josh Bootsma.

Carlton's Andrew Collins limped off in the final quarter with a suspected knee injury.

It was a tight, physical encounter for much of the match, with disposals and inside 50s more even than has been the case for Melbourne for most of the season.

The Dees led by one point at the opening break, before Carlton kicked two goals clear at half-time.

Despite expectations that Carlton would break away, Melbourne hung on to score a goal apiece, staying 16 points down - and still in with a chance - at the final change.

Carlton's superior talent finally made itself felt in the final term, as Melbourne faded.

The Blues ran away with the game, kicking seven goals to none. Eddie Betts kicked three in the last quarter to finish with five for the match.

Mitch Robinson was the best for the Blues, with 33 touches, six tackles and three goals for the game.

Carlton's Brock McLean - a former Demon - also racked up 33 possessions.

Carlton crushed the Demons 53-25 in the clearances including a 15-4 advantage in the last quarter.

Jordie McKenzie held Carlton skipper Chris Judd to nine touches in the first half and 21 for the game, while Nathan Jones also battled hard in midfield.

Mitch Clark was the lone target up forward for Melbourne, kicking three goals.

The Blues went into Sunday's game without Marc Murphy, Andrew Carrazzo, Jarrad Waite, Nick Duigan, Jeremy Laidler and late withdrawals Chris Yarran (toe) and Lachie Henderson (groin).

Both sides play next Saturday night, with Port Adelaide hosting Carlton at Football Park and Essendon at home to the Demons at the MCG.

Blues: Betts 5, Robinson 3, Walker 2, Hampson 2, Tuohy, Kreuzer, Armfield.

Demons: Clark 3, Blease, Howe, Jones

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First posted May 27, 2012 18:16:25

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Blues keen to bring home Boak

Updated May 31, 2012 12:12:16

Carlton coach Brett Ratten says the Blues are very keen to talk to Travis Boak if the star midfielder indicates he wants to leave Port Adelaide.

Boak, from the Victorian costal town of Torquay, will play his 100th game on Saturday night at Football Park when 15th-placed Port host Ratten's Blues.

While Ratten continues to juggle a large injury list, including the absence for a third successive week of key forward Jarrad Waite, the Blues coach is also keeping an eye on plans for 2013.

Boak, 23, was equal-first in Port's best and fairest last year and is weighing up a possible return to Victoria.

"He's a very good player, Travis," Ratten told reporters on Wednesday.

"If he was prepared to come home, we'd be very interested to have a chat with his management.

"That's something that (Carlton's football operations manager) Andrew McKay will chase behind the scenes.

"We'll earmark some players and pursue them if they're keen to come home or change state.

"We could go close, depending on what type of figure we're talking. I think we'll have some (salary-cap) room to manoeuvre there if someone popped up."

While Boak would add to Carlton's star-studded midfield, Ratten says he is pleased with the efforts of Aaron Joseph, Brock McLean and two-game teenager Josh Bootsma in the absence of players such as defender Jeremy Laidler and midfielders Marc Murphy and Andrew Carrazzo.

Ratten said Lachie Henderson (hip tightness) was unlikely to return this week, while fellow defender Chris Yarran (toe) would be fit to play for the sixth-placed Blues.

Nick Duigan (calf) will miss another week while Andrew Collins (jarred knee) will face a fitness test.

Waite, who was rested from the round-six clash with Greater Western Sydney with a hip complaint, played the following week against St Kilda but has since been troubled by a back injury.

"It's becoming serious because of the length of time that he's out for," Ratten said.

It has been a frustrating time for Waite, who had hip surgery last year and played only 12 games.

"We gave him an opportunity to freshen up (in round six) so he could get through and maintain a full season of football and now he's had this interruption as well," Ratten said.

"Hopefully he gets up for the Cats (on June 8).

"We don't know when he's going to be right. We're really mindful of getting him back.

"When you're trying to get to the pointy end of the season, getting your best players and your talent out on the field is so critical."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, port-adelaide-5015, sa, australia

First posted May 30, 2012 22:02:56

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Blues lose Murphy until July

Updated May 21, 2012 17:10:09

Star Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy will be out until round 14 with a shoulder injury that requires surgery.

Murphy sustained the injury to his left shoulder in Sunday's 69-point loss to Adelaide at Docklands.

The club said scans on Monday morning revealed a fracture in one of the bones in Murphy's shoulder and the necessary surgery will require at least five weeks of recovery.

"We will not have an accurate indication of how long Marc will be out of action until the surgery is performed," Carlton general manager Andrew McKay said in a statement.

"However we do know he will not be available until after our bye in round 13."

The Blues, who surged into premiership contention early on in the season, have a 5-3 record through eight rounds but have lost their last two in a row to St Kilda and the Crows.

Sunday's thumping at Adelaide's hands prompted coach Brett Ratten to question his players' work rate.

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First posted May 21, 2012 16:52:11

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Saints too strong for Blues

Updated May 15, 2012 10:23:37

St Kilda goalsneak Stephen Milne led a pacy attack which cut Carlton apart at Docklands, as the Saints capped a round in which the AFL's pacesetters were brought back to earth.

St Kilda's upset 19.8 (122) to 14.14 (98) win meant the sides that started the round in the top three spots - West Coast, the Blues and Sydney - as well as reigning premiers Geelong, all lost.

It was the Saints' first big scalp of the season - having previously downed Gold Coast, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne - and lifted them into the top eight, displacing Hawthorn.

Milne booted four goals, delighting the Saints fans among the 38,823-strong crowd, who chanted his name after his majors.

Mature-aged recruits Terry Milera (three goals) and Ahmed Saad (two) were also damaging as the weapon of a pace-based attack that had served the Blues well so often was used against them.

Along with kicking nine goals between them, the three forward speedsters set up several others.

Carlton contributed to their own fate with a series of horrible errors in the first term which led to St Kilda goals and allowed the Saints to reach quarter-time with a two-point lead and momentum.

The Saints kicked six goals to three in the second term, with their small forward trio booting four of those, to surge 17 points clear at the main break.

By late in the third term Carlton were 34 points down and, while they narrowed the gap with the last two goals of that quarter, two missed shots by Marc Murphy meant they were still 20 points down at the last change.

Murphy had a quiet game, blanketed by Clinton Jones, while Jarryn Geary stopped dangerous half-forward Jeff Garlett having much influence and Jason Blake quelled Jarrad Waite.

Captain Chris Judd, back from a rest, was a big factor for the Blues with a game-high 29 touches.

But despite the enormous hit-out dominance of Carlton ruckmen Matthew Kreuzer and Shaun Hampson, Judd had little support at ground level, with a more even Saints contribution giving them the edge in the midfield battle.

Leigh Montagna, Farren Ray, Lenny Hayes, Jack Steven and Brendon Goddard were all big Saints contributors.

The Blues face another tough challenge against in-form Adelaide at Docklands on Sunday, while the Saints take on West Coast in Perth.

St Kilda: 19.8 (122) - Milne 4, Milera 3, Stanley 2, Saad 2, Armitage 2, Hayes, Koschitzke, Riewoldt, Ray, Steven, Goddard

Carlton: 14.14 (98) - Ellard 3, Betts 2, Walker 2, Judd, Simpson, Waite, Gibbs, Kreuzer, Scotland, Robinson

AAP

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First posted May 14, 2012 22:30:43

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Blues concerned about leaky defence

Updated May 15, 2012 15:10:58

Carlton coach Brett Ratten says alarm bells are ringing over the ease with which St Kilda pierced the Blues' defence on Monday night.

Ratten is also worried his players have lost the fanatical zeal to pressure the opposition they had in the opening rounds.

The Blues took the ball into attack more often than the Saints at Docklands on Monday night, but still conceded the biggest score they have all season, losing 19.8 (122) to 14.14 (98).

Saints small forwards Stephen Milne, Terry Milera and Ahmed Saad ripped the Blues' defence apart, with nine goals between them.

Ratten says the worry was that the Blues often had extra numbers in defence but still could not stop the Saints' flow of goals.

"It was just alarm bells for us that we've still got a fair bit of work to do in that area of the game," he said.

"We knew the way they were going to play, we've watched them over the past few weeks.

"They get a lot of numbers up and they try to create space out the back.

"We knew that was going to come and we had an extra player back there at times and still our ability to win that contest, you would think we would and we didn't.

"That was quite alarming."

Another concern was that the Blues dominated the hit-out count 60-25 yet still lost the clearances.

"Full credit to them, they hunted us and they really got after us," he said.

Ratten says the Blues need to return to hunting their opposition as they had in the first three rounds.

"Our intensity and how fanatical we were to put heat on the opposition (in the early rounds) was very good," he said.

"I think that's dropped away."

The drop-off followed the huge round-three win over Collingwood, which catapulted the Blues into premiership favouritism, but Ratten denies his side had got ahead of themselves.

Saints coach Scott Watters says a strong defensive mind-set and desire to win the contested ball will continue to underpin his team's approach.

He was thrilled with the damage his fleet of small forwards caused, with the club having previously leant heavily on big men Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke and Rhys Stanley.

"We're probably just starting to see some progression in some different types of forward line set-ups that we need our club to progress through," Watters said.

AAP

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First posted May 15, 2012 15:10:58

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Blues forced to bring back Kreuzer

Updated May 04, 2012 20:09:32

Carlton ruckman Robbie Warnock has injured his hamstring, prompting the Blues to backflip on their decision to rest Matthew Kreuzer for Sunday's clash with GWS.

Kreuzer was initially listed as having a knee injury, though it was widely considered he was being spelled for a match the Blues are unbackable favourites to win.

But Warnock, who was named in the starting side for his first AFL game of the season, was ruled out on Friday.

Carlton confirmed he had damaged his hamstring at training on Thursday and pulled up sore.

Kreuzer and Shaun Hampson have proved a formidable combination in the ruck and forward line this season to keep Warnock out of the side.

Forward Andy Collins was also a late withdrawal from the squad after he also injured a hamstring at training.

The Blues are resting skipper Chris Judd and forward Jarrad Waite, who have officially been listed as omitted due to soreness and a hip injury respectively.

Defender Paul Bower and utility David Ellard are their replacements for the Docklands clash.

The Giants, whose coach Kevin Sheedy had warned Carlton of the perils of resting players against his side, have made more changes than the Blues.

Former Carlton forward Setanta o'hAilpin is among seven changes to the GWS line-up to take on his old club, while impressive young forward Jeremy Cameron (calf) drops out.

The Giants' rugby league convert Israel Folau will also miss the game because of a virus, which kept him out of training this week.

In other Sunday team news, North Melbourne has resisted the temptation to bring back ruckman Todd Goldstein to combat West Coast's Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui tandem in Perth.

Goldstein has been listed as an emergency.

Defender Cameron Pedersen comes in for Levi Greenwood in the Kangaroos' only change.

Port Adelaide has dropped Danyle Pearce for Sunday's game against Richmond at Football Park.

Pearce, replaced by Tom Logan, joins injured pair Jay Schulz and Chad Wingard to be left out.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, australia, blacktown-2148, nsw

First posted May 04, 2012 16:57:49

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Buckley wary of Blues assault

Updated April 08, 2012 14:55:56

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley likes what he saw against Richmond on Saturday night, but knows a much bigger challenge awaits from Carlton on Friday night.

While the Magpies' 12.13 (85) to 8.16 (64) win over Richmond was their first of the season, the Blues have been extremely impressive in blasting away the Tigers by 44 points in the opening round then thrashing Brisbane by 91 on Thursday night.

Buckley said Carlton looked good in every department.

"They've been dominant really," he told reporters.

"Their midfield's up and running, their defence is very strong, their forwards are looking dangerous.

"They've given us plenty to think about."

Collingwood will almost certainly be without key defender Chris Tarrant, who was subbed out with a calf injury on Saturday night.

"If he can't get through a quarter of footy, I wouldn't think six days later he'd be right to play four," Buckley said.

But the Pies should regain skipper Nick Maxwell, with Sharrod Wellingham, Ben Johnson and Alan Didak also in contention.

The win over the Tigers was a gritty, unspectacular performance, apart from a five-goal burst in the opening seven minutes of the second half.

But Buckley said while it might not have been a crowd-pleaser, he much preferred it to the shoot-out loss to Hawthorn in round one.

"The first three quarters were exactly the way we wanted to go about it," he said.

"Our contested ball was good, our ball movement was okay, but I think we defended a lot better than last week."

The Magpies' decisive third-quarter burst was inspired by a three-goal term from midfield star Dale Thomas, which came after Buckley had urged him to lift on a quiet first half.

"It's not often you need to ask Daisy for a little bit extra and when you ask him, he finds it," the Magpies boss said.

The winless Tigers lost small forward Jake King to a posterior cruciate ligament injury, expected to sideline him for six weeks.

Their defeat sets the scene for a desperate struggle on Saturday with another winless club, Melbourne.

"We're 0-2, we need to win. Melbourne are the same," coach Damien Hardwick said.

"As far as we're concerned it will be a solid build-up for us and we'll come out and play our best, as Melbourne will. It's a really important game for both football clubs."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, collingwood-3066, vic, australia

First posted April 08, 2012 14:53:36

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Jamison back for Blues

Updated April 12, 2012 15:39:33

Carlton coach Brett Ratten has declared defender Michael Jamison a certain starter for Friday night's tantalising battle against arch rivals Collingwood.

The Blues will also make a decision after their Thursday morning training session on whether fellow backman Nick Duigan will also come back into the side.

Jamison and Duigan have missed the start of the season because of preseason injuries.

"Jamison is a certainty, Duigan will go through today and train, we will sit down after training and go through that," Ratten said.

"Nick will be up for discussion, I think it will be really close."

Friday night's big clash will be a major test for the Blues, who have won their first two games and aim to break into the top four this season.

"It is a great opportunity for both teams, this is what we play for - round three, a big crowd and arch rivals," Ratten said.

"It is a great test for us against a team that has won the flag and been in the grand final the last two years."

Meanwhile, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has named Cameron Wood a potential club number one ruckman after a major lifestyle overhaul.

Wood is set to take a more permanent role in the ruck alongside Darren Jolly, following the retirement of Leigh Brown and allow Chris Dawes to return to the forward line.

The 25-year-old played 12 games last year without a standout performance, prompting Buckley to speak to him during the off-season.

The talk sparked a renewal of Wood's commitment and has opened up a promising future for him with the Magpies.

"He's been fantastic," Buckley said.

"He's worked very hard and been very diligent in his preparation.

"Really in the last 12 months, we've seen the emergence of a likely first ruckman for our side for the future.

"I don't think up until that point, Woody had given himself the best chance to be a professional footballer.

"He hadn't behaved like a professional footballer."

He said he was impressed at Wood's decision to improve his lifestyle choices and re-dedicate himself.

"He's really had a look at his life, at his opportunities as a footballer and he's really come on in leaps and bounds," Buckley said.

"His diligency in rehab has been excellent, he's not leaving any stone unturned now and he really has turned his prospects around.

"I think in the next four or five years, we've got a very real prospect as a player for the club who may not have been there 12 months ago.

"He's more committed to his footy than he was."

Buckley said Dawes would now mainly be used in attack.

"Dawsey in the short term will be able to focus on his forward role but this is not set in stone or the way we will be right through the year.

"We'll be looking at both elements with two legitimate ruckmen and a back-up ruckman - and Dawsey will be called on to play that role from time to time," Buckley said.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, carlton-3053, vic, australia

First posted April 12, 2012 13:15:09

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Blues' Laidler sidelined for six weeks

Updated March 05, 2012 22:31:30

Carlton defender Jeremy Laidler will have surgery and is out of action for up to six weeks because of his dislocated kneecap.

The Blues announced that Laidler would undergo an arthroscopy on Tuesday afternoon after suffering the gruesome injury during Sunday's preseason game against the Western Bulldogs.

Laidler met with a specialist and Carlton medical staff on Monday night.

He fell awkwardly during a marking contest in the first quarter of the game at Docklands.

Laidler's left kneecap was bulging to the lateral side as he battled severe pain, with fans gasping in horror at the replays on the video scoreboard.

Coach Brett Ratten said the Blues were able to put the kneecap back in place before Laidler was taken to hospital during Sunday's game.

Blues team-mate Ed Curnow said Laidler was a key member of Carlton's defence.

"He's shattered," Curnow said.

Curnow said he had been running around in midfield when Laidler was injured.

"I did have a quick look on the big screen and I got grossed out a bit myself," he said.

"I'm sure he's going to bounce back.

"We've got a lot of guys who can play that role, down back, that I'm sure will step up."

The Blues expect to regain forwards Jarrad Waite and Andrew Walker, onballers Chris Judd and Mitch Robinson and defender Nick Duigan for Saturday's round-three preseason cup game against Brisbane at Maroochydore.

Carlton's best defender Michael Jamison trained at Visy Park on Monday morning and is on track to overcome a back injury in time to play in round one against Richmond at the MCG on March 29, Curnow said.

The Blues are chasing a spot in the top four in 2012 after finishing strongly in fifth place last season following a heartbreaking three-point semi-final loss to West Coast in Perth.

The Blues have lost all three of their preseason cup games by single-figure margins and Curnow said experimenting with positional changes is a key factor at this stage of the year.

"We'll probably want to go into the season with a bit of winning form," he said.

"But we also want to try out guys in different positions, send Shaun Hampson up forward for a bit longer than he usually would play, little things like that."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, australia

First posted March 05, 2012 22:31:30

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Blues' Carrazzo backs team-mate Scotland

Updated February 01, 2012 07:11:07

Carlton midfielder Andrew Carrazzo has backed team-mate Heath Scotland, who is under New South Wales Police scrutiny following an alleged brawl on the weekend.

Scotland has told Carlton officials he helped his brother when a fight broke out at a ski club at Mulwala on the New South Wales-Victoria border.

"He's doing well, you'd expect nothing else," Carrazzo said.

"He's been himself the last couple of days, so we're just going to back him in.

"We fully support Heath."

Carrazzo, Scotland and their team-mates attended a club promotion on Tuesday at Melbourne's famous Lygon St restaurant strip.

Carrazzo said the preseason was going well for the Blues, who aim to break into the top four this year.

Ruckmen Matthew Kreuzer and Shaun Hampson will again be crucial for Carlton.

"Just having a fit and able team - having Matty Kreuzer back for a full season is going to really help," Carrazzo said.

"Shauny Hampson as well, having him in there for a full season is going to really help ... just the general improvement across the board rather than additions we've had to the group."

It was revealed on Tuesday that Hampson had undergone laser surgery in the off-season to improve his eyesight.

Hampson was struggling to see the ball at long distances, especially during night games.

"'Hammer' is going to be really important for us this year, we need to build our stocks in the ruck and (up) forward and he definitely fits into that category," Carrazzo said.

The news also remains positive for captain Chris Judd, who has recovered well from shoulder surgery.

"He's going great guns, he's joined in some stuff at training and within the next week or two he'll be in full contact (work)," he said.

"He's going really well ... I expect him to play a couple of games in the pre-season."

Carrazzo is so far enjoying his life upheaval after wife Yvette gave birth to triplet girls earlier this month.

"It's been very unique, as I'm sure most people could identify with, but it's been good and exciting," he said.

"It's good to have something else going on in your life - footy can get a bit serious and a bit full-on a lot of the time and I'm really enjoying it so far."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, australia

First posted January 31, 2012 20:03:17

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Judd carrying injury blues already

Updated November 30, 2011 18:24:23

Carlton captain Chris Judd has suffered a shoulder injury at AFL preseason training.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist has had scans on his right shoulder and will meet a specialist on Thursday to decide on the best course of action.

The Blues were unable to provide more detail on the severity of the injury.

But they were confident that even in the worse-case scenario, Judd would be ready for the opening round of the 2012 season.

"The Carlton medical team and Chris decided it was best to take this action now to ensure, no matter what the outcome of the review, that Chris will be available for the 2012 AFL season," the club said in a statement.

The former West Coast premiership skipper was runner-up to Marc Murphy in the Blues' best and fairest count this season, after winning the award in his previous three seasons at Carlton.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, australia

First posted November 30, 2011 18:24:23

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