Here’s what the media is saying about the Blues today:
In the mix: round 5
AFL.com.au – Howard Kotton
More spots appear to be up for grabs as the Blues seek to turn around their worst start to a season in 25 years. They could rush champion midfielder Chris Judd back into the team, with the champ close to resuming after Achilles surgery in the pre-season. Ex-Lion Sam Docherty performed well in his second game in the VFL and is in line for promotion. Jarrad Waite, Brock McLean and Tom Bell are also in contention after solid displays in the VFL, while Matthew Watson or Andrew McInnes would be in line to replace Michael Jamison if the experienced key defender does not recover in time from a leg injury.
Blues Bullish on Judd
AFL.com.au – Nick Bowen
Carlton is optimistic former skipper Chris Judd will return from injury this Sunday against the Western Bulldogs as the Blues seek to turn their horror start to 2014 around.
Judd had Achilles tendon surgery in February and has watched from the sidelines as Carlton has opened the season with four straight losses, including an 81-point thrashing by Essendon in round three and a 23-point loss to downtrodden Melbourne last Saturday.
Carlton’s focus remains on 150th Guernsey and Richard Pratt Cup, not Star Wars promotion
Herald Sun – Gilbert Gardiner
The Herald Sun revealed in February the league had plans to hang a Star Wars “Ultimate Rivalry” campaign off Carlton’s blockbuster with arch-enemy Collingwood.
While not strictly against the promotion, Carlton’s focus remains on the unveiling of its 150th anniversary Guernsey and raising prostate cancer awareness through The Richard Pratt Cup.
Essendon emerges as a serious contender to play on Good Friday
Herald Sun – Jon Ralph
Essendon has emerged as a serious contender to play in a historic Good Friday game as the AFL attempts to start the 2015 season with a bang.
The AFL seems determined to push back the season until the first week of April as a twilight Good Friday game looks increasingly likely….
Carlton-Richmond is a strong chance to go ahead as the season-opener on Thursday April 2, despite the Blues wanting to play a Good Friday game the following day against North Melbourne.
Carlton boss Greg Swann was this weekend extremely confident about the North Melbourne-Carlton proposal, saying of its chances: “Lock it in”.
Tom Elliott and Fraser Brown discuss Carlton’s future
The Age – Jon Pierik
Tom Elliott wants to know which direction the new Carlton president will take the club before deciding whether to run for the top job, possibly with the help of disgruntled former premiership player Fraser Brown.
Businessman Mark LoGiudice, with the support of pokies king and Blues powerbroker Bruce Mathieson, is expected to replace president Stephen Kernahan in the next fortnight.
Carlton Football legend closes iconic Lygon Street Hotel
The Age – Lawrence Money
A funeral director with gout would look happier than a Carlton footy fan right now. The Blue-baggers are zip from four, injured former skipper Chris Judd is still wrapped in cotton wool on the sidelines and Mick Malthouse is brooding over the worst start to a season in his long and apoplectic career in the coaching box. Surely things cannot get any worse.
News flash: they can. Four-time premiership player (but not-so-successful one-season coach) Peter ''Percy'' Jones is pulling up stumps at his famous Percy's Bar and Bistro in Lygon Street, a loyal alcoholic outpost for the old dark navy blues for the past 29 years.
