CARLTON will be looking to salvage what they can from season 2015 as they take on Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG.
With only 25 fit men to pick from, the Blues will face an up-hill battle in what will be their final match for the season.
Going down by 81 points to GWS last weekend, interim coach John Barker was left to lament his side’s inability to produce a four-quarter effort.
“(The) first half we were really competitive, (we) felt like we had a really good plan coming in to the game and we stuck to that and gave strong effort to that …but (we) just couldn’t sustain it,” Barker said post-match.
Pointing to their mounting injury list, Barker conceded his side faces a significant challenge taking on the reigning premiers, who are gearing up for a tilt at a third consecutive flag.
“We’re vulnerable, obviously, given where we’re at in terms of our availability and we all know where we’re at in terms of the depth of our list so we’re definitely vulnerable," he said.
“The challenge since we’ve lost those senior players and given where our depth is at, that’s probably been the biggest challenge because we’re really struggling for quality manpower and its telling on game-day.”
Facing his former club in what will also be his last game as caretaker coach, Barker will be hoping for a respectable performance after the Hawks inflicted the Blues’ greatest-ever loss of 138 points in Round 17.
Players to watch
Patrick Cripps is enjoying a stellar second season, and was again one of the Blues’ best in their loss to the Giants.
The Rising Star favourite gathered 30 disposals and nine clearances through the middle of the ground and looms as the Blues’ most damaging midfielder as they come up against the Hawks.
Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer has also proved how dangerous he can be since returning from injury, despite a quiet outing against the Giants.
Kreuzer kicked three goals, along with 17 disposals and four clearances, in the Blues’ Round 21 win over Melbourne and could prove a handful amongst Hawthorn’s tall defenders and ruckman.
Potential Changes
The Blues are set to lose even more players to injury for Saturday’s clash with the Hawks with Chris Yarran suffering a hamstring strain in their Round 22 loss to GWS, and teammate Sam Docherty having undergone groin surgery.
David Ellard is also unlikely to be fit to play after suffering a concussion against the Giants, according to Carlton’s Head of Football Andrew McKay.
Meanwhile Andrew Carrazzo is set to return from a toe injury for a farewell game after announcing his retirement on Tuesday.
Key forward Liam Jones could also be in line for a recall after kicking 2 goals from 18 disposals in the VFL, as are teammates Clem Smith, Tom Fields and Nick Holman.
