Carlton Supporters Club

CARLTON speedster Chris Yarran has blamed complacency for early-season failures as the Blues face a finals eliminator against bogy side St Kilda.

The Saints are gunning for third successive Monday night upset win over the Blues, who are staring at a 2-6 start if they lose tonight.

In a candid assessment of the team’s poor starts, Yarran said the Blues’ attitude had hurt them.

“We didn’t turn up (with) the right attitude against Melbourne, we just assumed we would go out there and win and got our pants pulled down,” Yarran told the Herald Sun.

“Same with Essendon and Collingwood. I just don’t know how it happens. We just have to avoid bad starts.

“We have to win against St Kilda and give ourselves some momentum going into the break. Sometimes we play better when we are up against the ropes.”

Carlton refused to give up on its September aspirations, hopeful the team’s fortunes will improve as key players regain fitness following an injury-marred off-season.

Assistant coach Dean Laidley yesterday revealed he was “taken aback” by the 18 off-season surgeries to key players.

“That’s really hurt us,” Laidley said on 3AW.

“We didn’t have a lot of players doing a lot of work preseason. They are starting to get match hardened now.”

Is 18 the number?

Why would you assume you're going to win when you're this group? How many times does this need to happen before they click?

They thought they were going to win??

Quote from: ItsOurTime on May 12, 2014, 10:05:40 am

Is 18 the number?

Why would you assume you're going to win when you're this group? How many times does this need to happen before they click?

No it's 22, no it's 6, no, wait it's NFI

Quote from: Goat on May 12, 2014, 10:10:48 am

Quote from: ItsOurTime on May 12, 2014, 10:05:40 am

Is 18 the number?

Why would you assume you're going to win when you're this group? How many times does this need to happen before they click?

No it's 22, no it's 6, no, wait it's NFI

It was 18 at the end of last season but we had further injuries in the off season. It's not too difficult to understand if you use your brain.

Next Tuesday is expected to see the entire Carlton list back in full training ahead of February's NAB Challenge.

The Blues had close to 20 players undergo post-season surgery, including ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (foot), Andrew Carrazzo (calf) and Chris Judd (wrist/elbow).

All three players missed the club's trip to Arizona – led by new high performance manager David Buttifant, who arrived from Collingwood to join Mick Malthouse in September – as they overcame their complaints.

New recruit Dale Thomas has also been carefully managed as he rehabilitates the ankle that wrecked his 2013.

He was late to the US trip as he was kept from the early hikes but joined his new teammates after the first week.

The Blues have already said they are bullish about their chances of having a full list to pick from for their first home and away game against Port Adelaide on March 16.

Earlier on Thursday, Thomas told the club's website his body was feeling the best it had for two years after a few weeks of training.

The players held a skills session on Thursday morning at Visy Park, with the list split into three groups.

Robbie Warnock, Cameron Wood and Kreuzer were all involved as were captain Marc Murphy, Carrazzo, Judd and Thomas.

I blame talent and ability....we dont have enough.