Kane Cornes has put the blowtorch on Carlton's selection process, claiming that the club needs to take more risks and blood their youngsters.
The Blues have had a poor start to season 2021 after a summer of much hope, with losses to the Tigers and more disappointingly Collingwood bursting the bubble of the Carlton faithful.
Many were expecting the club to finally make a push into the top eight this year and secure a finals berth considering the talent they bought in over the trade period.
Adam Saad, Zac Williams and Lachie Fogarty were all bought in over the trade period, however, Cornes is adamant that Carlton need to swing the axe on some of their experienced players.
SEE ALSO: Former Bulldog Tory Dickson lands once-in-a-lifetime multi
“Can they win the premiership this year? Probably not. Can they win it next year or the year after? Possibly if all things go right, but if they’re playing these players they probably can’t,” Cornes told Footy Classified.
“They’ve got to rip the band-aid off and play some of these young players.
“The fact that Curnow is still playing and turning the footy over, Casboult’s still a warrior, Murphy, I don’t know what they’re doing playing him at half forward and the lack of impact he’s having, Oscar McDonald was the last pick on their list and some others there including Lachie Plowman are getting games ahead of high draft picks and granted we don’t know whether they can play yet.
“You’ve got to be putting Petrevski-Seton into Murphy’s role playing him through the midfield.
“Lochie O’Brien simply has to play, Liam Stocker just has to play, Tom De Koning is injured but I look forward to seeing him back, Caleb Marchbank when he’s fit, Paddy Dow’s not getting the minutes.
“At some point they’re going to have to put those players through if they want to grow and develop.”
The Blues have drafted in some top drawer talent over recent years, however, have not given the game time to many of them.
2018 No. 19 pick in the National Draft Liam Stocker has only featured on five occasions for the club, whilst 2019 draftees Brodie Kemp and Sam Philp haven't played a single game under David Teague.
The aforementioned Marc Murphy has been a shadow of his former self so far in season 2021, putting up underwhelming performances across the half-forward line.
Despite racking up 18 touches against the Pies last week, the 33-year-old needs to be rotated to breathe new life into the role, according to Cornes.
“You’ve got to be putting Petrevski-Seton into Murphy’s role playing him through the midfield.
"I don't think [Murphy] is good enough to be in the side.
"You've got to go younger."
Carlton's selection committee will have a headache come selection time this week, with the club under increasing pressure to secure their first win of the season.
The Blues have a testing month ahead of them starting with Sunday's grudge match against the resurgent Dockers, who pulled off a big win over the Giants on Sunday night in Perth.
Carlton then play the Suns, with that game potentially taking place in Melbourne as a result of the delicate COVID-19 situation in Queensland, followed by huge games against Port Adelaide and Brisbane.