CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse will wait for Jarrad Waite's knee injury to be assessed before making any decisions on his forward structure after Friday night's crushing loss to Collingwood. 

The Blues lost all spark after Waite went down with a left knee injury halfway through the first term, kicking just five goals in the last three quarters. 

Scans will reveal the extent of Waite's injury, while small forward Eddie Betts will be left to nurse a hip pointer injury. 

Half-back Andrew Walker suffered a knock to his right knee in the third quarter but was able to play out the game, while Mitch Robinson struggled with his heavily-padded shoulder.    

"The scoreboard might have shuffled marginally, but that wasn't anywhere near the reason we were beaten," Malthouse said of the injury to Waite.  

"It throws your balance out, but that's a poor and lame excuse if we use that. 

"We got beaten by a very good football side."

Waite's left leg was caught awkwardly under a tackle and he limped from the ground, taking the substitute's red vest minutes later. 

With starting sub Dennis Armfield activated, the Blues had no flexibility when Betts, who didn't play out the game, took a heavy knock early in the third quarter.   

Malthouse said captain Marc Murphy was courageous to return after just two matches on the sidelines with a broken jaw. 

The star midfielder played in a helmet but failed to have much of an influence while amassing 18 disposals, just five of which came in the first half.