The AFL’s New Zealand Anzac Day game has taken another hit, with Chris Judd pulling out because of back tightness.
The Carlton star surprised teammates by not flying across on Thursday morning, his absence meaning the clash would not have its two biggest drawcards.
St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt was already ruled out for a second week because of a calf muscle injury.
The Blues said they did not want to risk Judd, given the travel and a six-day turnaround before the big round-five clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
Malthouse will coach his 715th AFL game against the Magpies, officially breaking the league record.
Judd is 31 and only managed 12 senior games last season because of hamstring and achilles tendon injuries.
“I didn’t actually know until I was on the plane,” Blues teammate Cameron Wood said.
“We were (flying) over the ocean and someone said Juddy’s not on the plane.
“Obviously, it will be a big loss.”
Speaking at Melbourne airport on Thursday morning, Saints coach Alan Richardson said he had heard rumours Judd might be in doubt.
“That would be a good outcome … he’s been in pretty good nick,” Richardson said.
“They’ve been great around stoppages and he’s been part of the reason.”
This will be the third edition of the AFL’s NZ Anzac Day experiment.
Promotion of this game had already been a challenge, given the form of the two teams.
Carlton are in crisis after three-straight losses and the pressure is growing on Malthouse.
Top Blues officials have publicly conceded the team is now rebuilding.
The Saints started the season as popular favourites for the wooden spoon.
While they scored an impressive upset win over Gold Coast in round two, Collingwood easily beat them last Friday night.
Carlton have promoted Blaine Boekhorst for his AFL debut, while Dylan Buckley and Jason Tutt return.
Chris Yarran starts his three-game striking suspension and Ciaran Byrne has a hamstring injury.
Yarran travelled with the team, two days after the tribunal decided on his penalty for punching Essendon’s Paul Chapman.
“That’s just a bit of being around the team and lending some support,” Wood said.
“He’s definitely still part of the team.
“He has a lot of things he can pass on … there are a few younger players in the squad.”
St Kilda have recalled Tom Curren for Maverick Weller, who has a calf muscle injury.
yewonk
Guest
12,000 free tickets from what I have heard the the soccer crowd helped out by buying a two for one ticket.
Casper
Guest
That crowd sounds acceptable to me. The Wellington soccer club would be ecstatic to get a crowd like that.
yewonk
Guest
Were the free tickets.
yewonk
Guest
They were expecting and need 20,000
allblackfan
Guest
Classic story today about a local promo girl for the game asking Carlton skipper Murphy if he was going to the game and offering him tickets!! Not to mention the earthquake!!
conchie
Roar Rookie
Will be played for years to come, a prominent Kiwi Liz Dawson who is also on the NZ Cricket board has joined the St Kilda board. St Kilda make money, Wellington makes money and the game of football wins as well. Few thousand from Melbourne and other parts of NZ AFL are expecting 12-13,000. All good.
CJ
Guest
Just scrap it.
IanK
Guest
Local crowd won't be more than several thousand, I'd say. Lots of local sport (rugby competitions etc) and a race meeting on tomorrow. Plus football on Sunday. Could be wrong of course. Lots of advertising and some naked advertising in sports pages of newspaper all week. No one I know, including a couple of Australians, is particularly interested. How many are coming over for the match?
slane
Guest
Yet they'll still pay to host the games!
SM
Guest
These players aren't 'drawcards' in New Zealand. No player in the AFL is.
Mike
Guest
What's the expected crowd figure?
Adrian
Guest
No one in Wellington will care if Judd or Reiwoldt play or not to be honest.