AFL NEWS
Three not a crowd in Blues' ruck division
The tussle for ruck places at Carlton may not narrow down to a race for two places.
Assistant coach Alan Richardson said after last Friday night's intra-club practice match that Carlton had not ruled out playing Matthew Kreuzer, Robbie Warnock and Shaun Hampson in the one side during the coming season.
Kreuzer looked to be in good fettle during the hit-out after foot problems disappointingly thwarted his finals hopes last year, and Hampson also moved well after knee surgery put an early end to his season.
Hampson made it to plenty of contests but didn't haul in every mark he got his hands to.
Warnock, who had shoulder surgery at the end of last season, did not play in the game, but had a post-game running session with other senior men who hadn't turned out in the trial game.
That batch of players included Chris Judd, Jarrad Waite and Lachie Henderson.
Judd and Waite are not expected to play until late in the NAB Cup, but Richardson said Andrew Walker and Chris Yarran, who didn't appear on Friday, would be up for earlier selection and had no injury problems.
The Blues were delighted with the form of Kane Lucas, who they hope will step up to regular senior selection this year.
Marc Murphy already appeared to be in good touch, Jeremy Laidler was strong in defence, as was Paul Bower, who is looking to make up for a season ravaged by injury.
Mitch Robinson also looked sharp and has obviously spent plenty of time on the weights as he has built his upper body strength.
A number of young Blues rookie and draft choices did not take part in the game and one interesting top-up player was Carl Petersen, the former Richmond and Hawthorn listed player who is playing with VFL affiliate the Northern Blues this year.
