Carlton has conceded 14 30-point swings in David Teague’s 21 games at the helm, dating back to the middle of 2019.
It has come back to bite them in recent weeks, costing them games against Hawthorn and West Coast.
Passionate Blues man Andy Maher believes the absence of ruckman Matthew Kreuzer has been felt in these games and feels he is the kind of player who would stand up and help slow momentum going against the club.
“Matthew Kreuzer at Matthew Kreuzer’s best was exactly the player Carlton has needed when these five-goal run-ons have been happening against them,” he told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“Matthew Kreuzer at his best is exactly the player Carlton need to thwart those five-goal run-ons.
“If he’s fit, he’s still got a role to play in this team in 2020, but Kreuzer, you can’t bank on him anymore. He’s just too unreliable unfortunately.”
Maher is bullish about young Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning’s future, but adds the Blues are keen to take their time with him.
“I think they’ve been waiting for De Koning and they’re mindful of young tall blokes, they take that little bit extra time, and he’s particularly tall and really lean and all of that,” he said.
Former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy hopes Kreuzer gets the opportunity to finish his career on his own terms, whether it’s at Carlton or elsewhere.
“I hope there’s a swansong there. I would like to see him get a few good twilight years, Matthew Kreuzer,” he said.
“The players from other clubs you find yourself instinctively barracking for – Jack Watts is one for me and Kreuzer is another one.”