CARLTON veteran Chris Judd will miss the remainder of the season after straining a medial ligament during the 28-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

 

Judd limped off the field during the third quarter after a marking contest, compounding a disappointing evening for the club that could result in the Blues missing the finals.

The Blues also lost key defender Matthew Watson halfway through the second quarter and small forward Jeff Garlett in the third term.

 

Coach Mick Malthouse conceded Judd, the former skipper, would not play again this season.

 

"He'll be in a brace for a couple of weeks before he gets back on the track," Malthouse said.

 

Judd was one of three players forced out of the game through injury.

 

Garlett was forced from the field with a glute issue, with Carlton unclear if he will play again this year.

 

"We'll just see how he comes up week to week," Malthouse said.

 

Watson was substituted out of the match with a foot strain, but the coach was hopeful he could return before the end of the season.

 

Malthouse refused to blame the side's injuries for its poor performance, which all but ended any faint hope of the Blues playing finals this year.

 

"There's absolutely no reason," Malthouse said.

 

"The Bulldogs were far too hungry, far too good, led far better and made a mockery of our defensive mindset.

 

"Our first bounce strategy was in place running down the race and it wasn’t adhered to. That to me is the most disappointing thing about the whole game."