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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Kreuzer flies high in Carlton trial

Updated February 17, 2012 16:22:52

Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer lifted the spirits of Carlton fans with a dazzling performance on Friday as he dominated an intra-club AFL trial match.

Kreuzer's stunning effort in wet conditions at the Blues' training ground proved he was no longer troubled by the foot complaint which kept him out of both of Carlton's finals games last September.

"If you saw the way he moved today, you'd have to agree," Blues senior assistant coach Alan Richardson told reporters on Friday.

"He's right to go. He's flying."

The 2007 number one draft pick was strong in the air and at ground level, as the Blues ponder whether to play the 22-year-old on the ball or up forward this season.

"He was outstanding. He's a bit like another onballer when the ball hits the deck so we were pleased with 'Kreuz'," Richardson enthused.

"He'll play a lot of footy in the ruck.

"We have the luxury of having three quality ruckmen in (Robbie) Warnock and (Shaun) Hampson as well.

"Certainly at times, he will play forward but predominantly he'll play ruck.

"On today's performance, both he and Hampson were really good.

"Certainly, those three guys could play in the one team."

The Blues open their preseason cup campaign at AAMI Stadium on February 26 against Port Adelaide and the Crows.

Skipper Chris Judd (shoulder), big forward Jarrad Waite (hip), key defender Michael Jamison (back) and Warnock (shoulder) were among those who rested on Friday but they are expected to be fit for round one against Richmond on March 29.

Carlton's 2011 club champion Marc Murphy was one of the star players in Friday's game while key forward Bret Thornton, onballer Andrew Carrazzo and young key defender Matthew Watson were also prominent.

Richardson said Kane Lucas, Paul Bower and Jordan Russell, who struggled with injuries last year, were also impressive.

Watson showed promise on Friday but Richardson warned the 19-year-old is still learning the game after playing three matches in 2011.

"Given that (Lachie) Henderson and Jamison didn't play today, you can see we've got a bit of depth back there now," he said.

The Blues recruited former Norwood player Nick Duigan and ex-Cat Jeremy Laidler in 2010 to bolster their backline.

"'Watto' is going to have to work really hard to get a game," Richardson added.

Judd is being aimed at round three of the pre-season cup on March 10.

Richardson said senior coach Brett Ratten was keen to give young players opportunities in the preseason cup.

Andrew Walker and Chris Yarran were also rested on Friday.

AAP

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

First posted February 17, 2012 16:22:52

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