CARLTON'S tall stocks have suffered another huge blow with ruckman Matthew Kreuzer set to join spearhead Levi Casboult on the sidelines for the next month.
Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said on Monday afternoon Kreuzer had suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee in the second quarter of the Blues' win over Port Adelaide on Sunday and would undergo surgery that was expected to sideline him for three to four weeks.
"There was a level of awareness as to the extent of the injury sustained by Matthew during that second quarter, however there was no risk of further injury by him going back on the field," McKay said.
"It is a real reflection on Matthew's character that he was able to endure and contribute so much to the win.
"We look forward to Matthew resuming training in the next couple of weeks and then returning to the team soon after."
Kreuzer kicked the winning goal against the Power and will be a huge loss for the Blues when they take on a North Melbourne team boasting All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein on Saturday night.
The Blues will also have to find a replacement for Casboult, who will miss six to eight weeks after fracturing his left tibia in the first quarter of Carlton's two-point win over Port.
First-year defender Jacob Weitering (shoulder) shapes as the Blues' preferred replacement for Casboult, with fellow backman Sam Rowe again likely to play in attack against North after having an impact there against Port after Casboult's injury.
However, Blues coach Brendon Bolton said on Sunday Weitering might not return until round nine, which could open the way for forgotten tall Kristian Jaksch to play his first senior game of the year.
Former Gold Coast Sun Daniel Gorringe and rookie ruckman Cameron Wood head the list of likely replacements for Kreuzer given former Giants ruckman Andrew Phillips faces another two weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Casboult's injury comes with first-year forwards Charlie Curnow (glandular fever) and Harry McKay (back) already on the sidelines.
Fellow 2015 draftee Jack Silvagni was among the Northern Blues' best players in the VFL club's 143-point loss to Williamstown last Saturday, but the father-son recruit was returning from a two-week lay-off with a calf injury and will almost certainly be given more time to develop before being blooded at senior level.
Jaksch, who played six senior games in his first season at Ikon Park last year, has had a slow start to 2016.
Overlooked for all three of the Blues' NAB Challenge games, Jaksch has gradually worked his way back to form in the VFL's opening six rounds. On a difficult day last Saturday against Williamstown, he was named the Northern Blues' second best player.
The former Giant, 195cm, would give the Blues flexibility against North given his ability to play at both ends of the ground.
If selected against North, Gorringe, who played 22 games in five seasons at Gold Coast, will make his club debut for the Blues.