Lack of big men exposes Carlton
By Greg Denham
The Australian
March 17, 2008
... the Blues will start the season against Richmond at the MCG well below full strength.
The Blues will be particularly vulnerable in the ruck against Tigers No.1 ruckman Troy Simmonds, as they are set to be down three big men.
With No.1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer in doubt with a hip injury, and the absence of Cain Ackland and Shaun Hampson, the Blues' only recognised ruckman is Cameron Cloke, and he has not played since a shoulder reconstruction after round six last year.
The long-awaited senior debut of the talented Kreuzer may be postponed for a week after he strained his hip at a closed training session.
Hampson, the Blues' tallest ruckman at 201 centimetres, had come on in leaps and bounds since playing in the final two rounds last season, but he underwent a knee arthroscope to remove bone chips and will miss at least the opening round.
Ackland had a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season and is unlikely to be considered for another month.
Finding a back-up ruckman for Cloke against the Tigers will be high on Carlton's agenda in this week's lead-up.
The Blues' main two options could be Irish defender Setanta O'hAilpin or rookie Sam Jacobs. Jacobs would have to be upgraded as a replacement for Andrew Walker, who will miss the first three months because of shoulder surgery.
While Nick Stevens is considered a certain starter despite a minor neck problem a fortnight ago, the Blues will also be without Brad Fisher (thumb), Adam Bentick (groin), and Clinton Benjamin (groin).
Richmond expects Graham Polak (heel) to be available, but Jay Schulz (fractured ribs) remains unlikely. Full article at:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23387633-23211,00.html
