THE LOSS of ruckman Matthew Kreuzer has stripped Carlton of one of its crucial aces against the Sydney Swans, according to former Western Bulldogs big man Luke Darcy.
Kreuzer was originally named to face the Swans in Saturday night's semi-final at ANZ Stadium but was a late scratching on Friday after failing to pass a fitness test.
He has struggled all week with what is believed to be a foot injury sustained in the Blues' elimination final win over Richmond last Sunday.
Darcy said replacement Levi Casboult was capable of troubling the Swans' defenders, but the Blues would miss Kreuzer's ability to run off Swans opponents Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke.
"I would have been excited about seeing him push hard forward and kicking goals on those two," Darcy told AFL.com.au.
"They're really big strong players, but they probably don't run aerobically as hard as someone like a Kreuzer can.
"It's a big loss. He's their first ruck option and he's one of their better forward options.
"He'd be one of the first picked in the Carlton side with his athleticism and his follow up work around the ground."
Carlton expects Kreuzer to be in contention for a return if the Blues defeat the Swans and progress to a preliminary final against Fremantle in Perth.
Darcy said if there was any doubt on Kreuzer's ability to contribute on Saturday night, the club had made the right call in withdrawing him.
He said Casboult, who has played 10 games this season and kicked seven goals, was capable of stretching the Swans' defenders.
"He's an enormous contested mark," Darcy said.
"He's got some other areas of his game he's got to work on –his kicking and his mobility, and I'm not sure ruck work is his natural strength.
"But if he can take some marks inside 50 and put some pressure on the Swans' defence, that's what I'd be hoping to get out of him."
Darcy said the Blues shouldn't be concerned about any hole left in the ruck brigade, with Warnock capable of shouldering a big workload with occasional help from Casboult.
Warnock has averaged 38 hit-outs since returning to the team in round 20.
"He was fantastic last week and that's something he can do as well as anyone else," Darcy said of the 26-year-old's tap work.
"With his height advantage he's actually pretty clever, so I don't think they lose out there."
With Kreuzer withdrawn, Sam Rowe has been elevated to the Blues' list of emergencies, alongside midfielders Brock McLean and David Ellard.
