http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23387633-23211,00.html
APART from the on-going distraction of an AFL investigation following accusations by former assistant coach Tony Liberatore that Carlton deliberately lost games last year, 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).
Carlton chief executive Greg Swann said Stevens trained brilliantly last week after his hiccup with a neck problem, which was not related to a spinal injury that kept him out for most of last year.
Bentick has not played a full practice match during the pre-season, while Benjamin, 19, is considered a strong chance to line up in the opening round after a solid pre-season.
Richmond expects Graham Polak (heel) to be available, but Jay Schulz (fractured ribs) remains unlikely.
Liberatore and the AFL are scheduled to meet this week and Carlton will know soon after whether it is to be the subject of a match-fixing investigation, in a probe similar to that directed at Sydney coach Paul Roos this month.
However, speaking on Melbourne radio SEN, Liberatore appeared to change his tune. "If they say to me 'Do you think Carlton tanked?', I would say I don't think they did," he said in a back flip from his inflammatory comments last week.
Geelong will be at least five premiership players down when it meets Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in a rematch of last year's grand final.
Brad Ottens (ankle) will not play, neither will David Wojcinski (finger), while Max Rooke (hamstring) is in doubt.
Premiership ruckman Steven King is now with St Kilda after being traded and Nathan Ablett is in premature retirement.
APART from the on-going distraction of an AFL investigation following accusations by former assistant coach Tony Liberatore that Carlton deliberately lost games last year, 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).
Carlton chief executive Greg Swann said Stevens trained brilliantly last week after his hiccup with a neck problem, which was not related to a spinal injury that kept him out for most of last year.
Bentick has not played a full practice match during the pre-season, while Benjamin, 19, is considered a strong chance to line up in the opening round after a solid pre-season.
Richmond expects Graham Polak (heel) to be available, but Jay Schulz (fractured ribs) remains unlikely.
Liberatore and the AFL are scheduled to meet this week and Carlton will know soon after whether it is to be the subject of a match-fixing investigation, in a probe similar to that directed at Sydney coach Paul Roos this month.
However, speaking on Melbourne radio SEN, Liberatore appeared to change his tune. "If they say to me 'Do you think Carlton tanked?', I would say I don't think they did," he said in a back flip from his inflammatory comments last week.
Geelong will be at least five premiership players down when it meets Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in a rematch of last year's grand final.
Brad Ottens (ankle) will not play, neither will David Wojcinski (finger), while Max Rooke (hamstring) is in doubt.
Premiership ruckman Steven King is now with St Kilda after being traded and Nathan Ablett is in premature retirement.
