Tigers in Blues' sights after NAB Challenge tune-upBen Guthrie
afl.com.au
March 23, 2015CARLTON is well placed to end a run of sluggish season starts by defeating Richmond in April 2's season opener at the MCG, coach Mick Malthouse says.
The Blues, who ended their NAB Challenge campaign with a 19-point loss to Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, have suffered horror starts in their past two seasons.
Having begun 2013 with an 0-3 record, they lost their opening four games in 2014, including a 12-point defeat against the Tigers in round two.
They have not beaten the Tigers in their traditional early-season clash since 2012.
But Malthouse believes the Blues are streets ahead in their preparations this time around, having successfully used their NAB Challenge to put game-time into key players.
"In all honesty, we went in last year knowing there were a fair few players that were going to play who were underdone," Malthouse said after the match against the Cats.
"This year our goal was to play 30-odd players to give us a book of players we can go in against Richmond with knowing that, if some had been injured, we could actually see how the other players performed in those roles.
"That's exactly what we've done. We've been able to put games into guys, who haven't experienced the intensity of AFL football, albeit NAB [Challenge].
"We've increased the workload of players who needed to be increased and we've been able to protect the players who we know, through their professionalism and a number of years in it (the AFL system), they can come up pretty quickly."
Malthouse said the games against the Eagles (31-point loss), Magpies (seven-point win) and the Cats provided his side with an ideal build-up in what promises to be a tight tussle against Richmond early next month.
The make-up of the Blues' tall backline is yet to be fully decided, but Malthouse indicated youngster Kristian Jaksch could join experienced leaders Michael Jamison and Sam Rowe in defence against the Tigers.
Jaksch, who stands at 196cm, had a tough battle with Mitch Clark, who booted three goals, against the Cats, but has shown real promise since coming over from Greater Western Sydney in the off-season.
"It gives us a good opportunity," Malthouse said. "Do we play him, Rowe and Jamison? My mind really was early in the week, we can play three of them if they play well.
"I don't really see why we couldn't play those three, because Richmond might give us that opportunity.
"And I think Jaksch has the capability on playing on a medium (forward) anyway."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-22/tigers-in-blues-sights-after-nab-challenge-tuneup-
