Tuesday, April 1, 2014: Bogged down by regulations and ethics....

Here at the Smother, we have been accused of being somewhat anti-Carlton. Rejoicing in their defeats, celebrating their continued determination to draft aging talent in a move to win a Premiership which is almost within reach (if it weren't for the 8 teams that are better than them).





The only problem with sticking the boot in to Carlton is that they can be a very powerful enemy, their suburb of course being home to the famed Carlton Crew who wrought terror throughout the city during the Gangland War. The Carlton Blues and the Carlton Crew both have reputations as merciless innovators, constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve their circumstances. Neither have been known to allow themselves to be bogged down by regulations or ethics.

With that in mind, it's little surprise at all that when the AFL introduced a law to combat staging,  it was a Carlton player who was the first to be hauled into the docks. Jake King literally stuck the boot in, grazing the chest of Jarrad Waite who went down grasping his face as if struck by a wrecking ball, leading to the first ever reprimand for staging.

Couldn't have happened to a nicer team...

In the news...
Nat Fyfe is out of the next 2 games, and the running for the Brownlow, after accepting his ban for a flying headbutt on Michael Rischitelli. And, in a move that has caused depression and anxiety among Supercoach players across the country, fellow Docker Michael Barlow has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury.

It's a bad week to be a Supercoach actually, with doubts lingering over the availability of Scott Pendlebury, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell. Pendlebury missed training this morning, but the club insists he will still play on Saturday against Geelong.

Richmond's Daniel Jackson is likely to make his 2014 debut on the weekend after successfully proving his fitness in the VFL.