Carlton coach Mick Malthouse isn’t looking for quick fixes, but is searching for more midfield depth after describing their lack of run this year as extraordinary.
Malthouse was left to lament his team’s shortage of quality on-ballers after Sydney’s stellar midfield held sway for most of Saturday’s AFL semi-final, which the Swans won by 24 points.
The loss ended an inconsistent campaign by the Blues who only made the eight after Essendon’s demotion.
Malthouse said 2013 was always going to be a growth year and there would be changes for 2014,
“I’m not here at Carlton for an easy short fix,” Malthouse said.
“I’ve never left a club, I don’t think anyway, in a position where they can’t go forward and I’m certainly not going to have a quick fix for me, it’s got to be a fix for Carlton.”
Sydney racked up 97 more touches than Carlton, a not unfamiliar problem for the Blues.
“Our lack of run this year has been extraordinary,” Malthouse said.
“We’ve been able to win games by having less possessions than our opposition on numerous occasions.
“The last four, five games, I don’t think we’ve got anywhere near the possessions of our opponents.
“We just haven’t got the numbers that can go though the middle.”
Malthouse suggested it was more a case of developing players already at the club and that trading wasn’t necessarily the answer.
He was asked about trying to acquire Collingwood’s Dale Thomas, a player he knows well and clearly admires from his time as the Magpies coach.
“Dale is a good age player, he’s got many years left in him,” Malthouse said.
“I know how he plays. I love the way he plays, but that doesn’t mean he’s anywhere near over the line (in signing for Carlton).
“He’s a Collingwood player as we speak. He’s got to make a decision, does he stay there or does he move?”
Malthouse suggested he wanted to keep both Eddie Betts and Chris Yarran.
“I like all good players to stay,” Malthouse said when asked about Betts.
Quizzed about Yarran’s future Malthouse replied: “Why wouldn’t he be staying?
“He’s a contracted player and he’s not a free agent.”