AFL: Blues happy with Kreuzer debut despite losing streak

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2008
AFL: Blues happy with Kreuzer debut despite losing streak

By Adam Cooper

GEELONG, Vic, April 6 AAP - Young ruckman Matthew Kreuzer provided Carlton with a beacon
of hope amid their greatest losing streak in the AFL, following last night's defeat to
Essendon at the MCG.

Kreuzer underlined why the Blues took him with their No.1 pick in last year's national
draft with an eye-catching debut comprising 16 disposals, two goals and 12 hit-outs.

His game, and even eight goals to Brendan Fevola and 32 disposals to Chris Judd and
26 to Nick Stevens, was still not sufficient to get Carlton a win, as Essendon won 23.12
(150) to 21.8 (134).

The Blues have now lost their past 14 games, a streak equal to that of the one spanning
the 1901-02 seasons, and will become the club's worst if they lose to arch-rival Collingwood
on Sunday.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten was disappointed with another defeat, but could not have
asked any more from the club's next star, who defied expectation and stronger bodies to
impress.

"He was outstanding, Matthew Kreuzer," Ratten said.

"In his first game he showed the footy world it's not just his tap work, he follows
up and is beating the little blokes to get to the fall of the ball when he hits it or
even when his opposition ruckman hits it.

"That was an amazing display for a young man.

"With midfielders you can run around and get a bit more freedom, but when you're a
ruckman you've got to play one-on-one footy.

"You can't hide and shy from the fact you've got to jump in at centre bounces, with
blokes (trying to) smash you, and fly for contested marks (with) blokes hitting and kneeing
you.

"He's a young man who's done an outstanding job first game and it was probably one
of the best first-up games I've seen."

Carlton's latest defeat left Ratten with a "bitter pill to swallow" given so much went
right, yet still his side could not crack a win.

He tried to play down the significance of the losing record, by declaring it irrelevant
given many of the players involved in 2007 losses were no longer at the club.

"This is not about right now, it's about the future and how quickly we can get Carlton
Football Club into the finals," he said.

AAP ac/mo

KEYWORD: AFL BLUES

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