Carlton dealt a blow, Cats axed

Matthew Kreuzer is a huge out for Carlton. Source: Michael Dodge / HeraldSun

CARLTON'S flickering finals hopes have been dealt another blow with star ruckman Matthew Kreuzer breaking down with a calf injury.

Kreuzer and star midfielder Andrew Carrazzo will both miss Saturday's must-win clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, while Mick Malthouse again dropped hard nut Mitch Robinson.

Kreuzer has hit career-best form the past month and was poised for a mouth-watering match-up against All-Australian fancy Will Minson.

But the Blues have been bolstered by the return of spearhead Jarrad Waite, while prized draft picks Troy Menzel and Josh Bootsma add a youthful tinge.

The Hawks replaced Buddy Franklin with journeyman Matt Spangher for Friday night's clash with an injury-ravaged St Kilda. Jon Simpkin and Sam Grimley also won reprieves, replacing Luke Hodge (thumb) and Jon Ceglar.

Cats coach Chris Scott reacted savagely to his side's shock loss to North Melbourne, axing five players.

Taylor Hunt, Josh Hunt, Mark Blicavs, Trent West and Bille Smedts have all been axed ahead of the showdown with former Cats assistant Ken Hinkley's Port Adelaide.

The big-man shake-up will give Nathan Vardy his chance to sew up the No.1 ruck position. James Podsiadly, Allen Christensen, Jared Rivers, Jesse Stringer and Josh Walker are the inclusions.

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss anointed Stef Martin as Jonathan Brown's replacement, choosing the former Dee ahead of Jordan Lisle.

Richmond made just one change, replacing Orren Stephenson with Ty Vickery. The Tigers host the Lions at the MCG on Saturday.

Injury-prone Western Bulldogs defender Easton Wood will return against the Blues, alongside former Carlton defender Mark Austin and Liam Jones.

West Australians Mark LeCras, Matt Priddis, Garrick Ibbotson, Matthew Pavlich and Chris Masten headline the inclusions for the Sunday matches, with West Coast and Fremantle set to boast significantly stronger sides for their duels with Essendon and GWS respectively.

REPLAY OUR LIVE TEAMS CHAT BELOW

On a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Carlton dealt a blow, Cats axed

Dengan url

http://olahragasehatiku.blogspot.com/2013/08/carlton-dealt-blow-cats-axed.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Carlton dealt a blow, Cats axed

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Carlton dealt a blow, Cats axed

sebagai sumbernya