Here’s what the papers are saying:
Carlton’s Troy Menzel is round-16 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee
Herald Sun, Sam Landsberger
CARLTON young gun Troy Menzel remains coy about his future beyond this season, despite the Blues’ desperation to retain his mercurial skills.
The Blues are hoping Menzel follows the lead of mentor Bryce Gibbs and not that of predecessor Eddie Betts, who last year crossed to Adelaide.
Sources indicated Menzel was likely to remain at Visy Park next season despite the drawn-out negotiations.
Menzel is now the Blues’ top list priority and his standing was enhanced with a Rising Star nomination for his two-goal effort against St Kilda.
Carlton’s Troy Menzel is round-16 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee
The Age
Carlton’s Troy Menzel is the round 16 AFL Rising Star nominee.
The 19-year-old, who is leading the Blues’ goalkicking with 22, booted two goals and took a career-high eight marks in Carlton’s 85-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, despite copping a heavy bump to his shoulder in the final quarter.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse said Menzel had been consistent this season.
Carlton kicks away from St Kilda in powerful second half at Etihad Stadium to win by 85 points
Herald Sun, Jon Ralph
CARLTON conquered St Kilda yesterday in the same way the schoolyard bully steals the skinny first grader’s lunch.
As a drought-breaking 85-point victory it was nourishing for a few minutes but the opponent was so weak the joy over actual four points was short-lived.
The Saints have now lost ten straight games for the first time since the dark days of 1989, brutalised by a Carlton side itself entering the contest after five straight defeats.
Yet for the Carlton faithful yesterday the lasting memory would be the highlights reel of a pair of forwards in Levi Casboult and Troy Menzel.
On Sunday Simon White (four goals) showed he can pinch-hit as a lead-up forward and second-gamer Blaine Johnson signalled real promise as a hit-up half-forward.
Casboult's hands the 'best in the business'
afl.com.au, Ben Collins
LEVI Casboult has great hands. The question is: how great?
AFL legend Wayne Carey suggests the Carlton forward might have the best hands in the game, while Casboult's teammate Lachie Henderson has taken it a step further.
"I reckon Levi's definitely got the best hands in the business," Henderson told AFL.com.au after Casboult played a key role in the Blues' 85-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
"That mark he took at the end of the third quarter when he had three blokes around him, that was an absolutely fantastic grab.
"He's got the greatest hands in the game, for sure."
Carlton's scheduling has killed attendances, says new president
afl.com.au, Ben Collins
NEW CARLTON president Mark LoGiudice says the club's 2014 fixture has been an attendance-killer.
He used his first pre-match speech to question the club's Sunday fixturing, saying the the drop in crowds at Carlton games wasn't simply due to the club's lack of onfield success.
"Our draw for 2014 has at times proved challenging for our members and supporters, with games played on Sunday nights being poorly attended," LoGiudice said before the Blues hosted St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
"While our onfield performance has been disappointing, the feedback received is that scheduling has been a major deterrent for young families and those that travel (long) distances to attend games.
Back to basic Blues please Malthouse
afl.com.au, Ben Collins
CARLTON has only just broken a five-game drought but coach Mick Malthouse has seen signs that the Blues are growing as a team.
Malthouse said his team regained the ascendancy by simply "getting back to basics".…
"(That was) a bad quarter. I didn't have to discuss it after the game; a few senior players were discussing it," he said.
"We're very aware of it that things can get away from us and we've really got to stop it. We haven't been able to.
"We haven't started well (but) we did today, and we haven't capitalised on it in the second quarter.
"So the players are very aware of it and the good thing is they were talking about that more than anything else after the game. It wasn't the result; it was about the process of arresting those quarters.
The Barometer
Herald Sun, staff writers
CARLTON
INJURIES: Dylan Buckley (hand) 2 weeks, Andrew Carrazzo (leg) TBC, Jaryd Cachia (shoulder) 2 weeks, Cameron Giles (foot) season, Matthew Kreuzer (foot) 4 weeks, Troy Menzel (shoulder) TBC
ON THE BLOCK: Andrew Carrazzo was subbed out just before half-time against the Saints with a calf. He must be doubtful for the Bombers.* Troy Menzel is highly unlikely after damaging the AC joint in his shoulder.
ON THE CUSP: Jarrard Waite booted three and was among the best in the VFL, but he picked the wrong week to lift given the deeds of the tall forwards in the AFL side. David Ellard, Patrick Cripps and Nick Graham featured in the VFL, as did Dennis Armfield, while Jeff Garlett continues to whittle away his season in the lower grade.
BEN BROAD’S FORECAST: After six long weeks Blues fans finally got to sing the song again on Sunday. There were some anxious moments in the second term when St Kilda rallied, but the Blues regained their composure and looked dangerous after the break. Hopefully that confidence injection continues to flow this week, as they’ll need all their mojo against the Swans in Sydney to disrupt that juggernaut. No-one expects an upset, so Mick may as well play a few kids and try a few things — as he did with Simon White’s successful move forward at the weekend.
*note to readers: Carrazzo injured his quad and Carlton plays Sydney not the Bombers this week!
Nine things we learned from round 16
afl.com.au, Jennifer Phelan
1. Jarrad Waite faces an uphill battle to play for Carlton again
Carlton forward Jarrad Waite was banished to the VFL for the second week running and his cause to get back to senior level wasn't helped by the Blues' forward line domination against St Kilda.
In the 85-point win, the Blues benefited from four goals from each of Lachie Henderson, Levi Casboult and usual defender Simon White, while Chris Yarran bobbed up with three.
The three talls took 23 marks between them with nine contested and proved a headache for the Saints' undersized defence.
Waite, 31, is out of contract at the season's end and his versatile teammates are not doing him any favours by starring in his absence.
