Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has reacted savagely to a long week in the media heat and wielded the selection axe harder than at any time during his short tenure at the club.
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Key players Jarrad Waite and Jeff Garlett have both paid the price for last Sunday night’s embarrassing loss to Essendon, and midfielder Tom Bell and utility Simon White have also been dropped in a massive shake-up of the Blues team for Saturday’s crucial game against Melbourne at the MCG.
Speculation this week that the Blues could turn to veteran defender Heath Scotland has also proved correct, with the club’s 2012 best and fairest winner set to play his first game for the season, alongside Patrick Cripps – the Blues’ top pick – who will make his debut after being picked 13th overall in last year’s draft.
Cripps, a mature-bodied midfielder, played a major role with VFL affiliate Northern Blues last Sunday and impressed through the NAB Challenge. Nicknamed ‘‘The Extractor’’, Cripps had 34 disposals (17 contested), eight inside 50s, six clearances, five tackles and a goal against Williamstown in round one of the VFL.
Forgotten midfielder Kane Lucas has also been recalled, as well as key forward Levi Casboult as the Blues aim to get their season back on track against the lowly Demons, who are also chasing their first win under new coach Paul Roos.
Scoring has been Melbourne’s major issue so far this year. However, there was finally some relief on that front on Thursday, with key forward Chris Dawes getting up for his first game of the season.
With Mitch Clark announcing his retirement during the week, and young gun forward Jesse Hogan’s debut nowhere in sight because of a back injury, Melbourne had been waiting for Dawes to overcome a calf injury and the key forward came through by proving his fitness on Thursday.
In other major selection news on Thursday night, St Kilda star Jack Steven was named on the extended interchange for Sunday’s game against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
Steven was cleared to resume playing this week after recovering from a fractured right foot that flared in the opening NAB Challenge game against the Western Bulldogs.
Hawks captain Luke Hodge will return for Saturday night’s game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, while Geelong veteran Corey Enright is also back for the Cats’ challenge against West Coast on Saturday night.
