Brett Ratten was none too impressed with his ruckman Shaun Hampson on Friday night, so much so that it may cost him a berth in Sunday-s cut-throat final against Sydney.
Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands had a field day with 40 hit-outs and 13 clearances and according to the Ratten, got too easy a ride from the 22-year-old Blue.
And with Shane Mumford a chance to return for Sydney, the Blues are fully aware of the importance of shoring up their ruck stocks.
"I thought Shaun was really down on his game," Ratten said on Monday afternoon.
"He didn't really assist with some of Robbie's (Warnock's) pressure that he put on and allowed Sandilands to really get into the game."
Ratten said the form of Sam Jacobs for the Northern Bullants last week could be enough to snare him a game, despite the fact that he's played just one of the past six games in the AFL this year.
"Sam Jacobs had around 30 hit-outs and kicked three goals and was close to best on ground, so it will be one that will be talked about at match committee," he said.
Indeed, there'll be a lot of head scratching at the Carlton selection table this week, with Andrew Carrazzo no good thing to line up as he struggles to overcome a hamstring strain.
"He's 50-50 at this stage - it will just [depend] on how quickly he comes to hand," Ratten said.
"Then there-s the risk factor of it in a final. We saw last week losing a player and the pressure that puts on the team."
"I think the selection debate will be really hot."
Brett Thornton, Brock Mclean and Richard Hadley are all in the mix to return.