Mick Malthouse says he may have to change his attitude with the media
MICK Malthouse says he may have to change the way he conducts himself at post-match media conferences.
The Carlton coach, who has come under scrutiny for his often-prickly relationship with the media, said that if the Blues felt his behaviour needed changing, he would act.
"If people think that, then I've got to look at it," he said.
"If it's not good – it's not good for Carlton."
Malthouse had run-ins with Channel 7 commentators Cameron Ling and Samantha Lane at the weekend, and at a media conference on Thursday was asked if he was too aggressive and dismissive in his attitude.
"Some coaches are comfortable, I'm not – it's the last thing I think about," he said at Visy Park.
"My media conferences haven't been picture perfect, and I'm the first to say that.
"But it's not by design to hurt anyone. It's to finish it as quick as I can and do what I probably do best – that's to have dialogue with players and coaches.
"I'm probably opening up my soul a bit here. I find it very, very difficult to talk publicly, and I've been doing it for 30 years."
Carlton great Mark Maclure questioned on AFL 360 on Wednesday night whether Malthouse had the capacity to make lucid decisions in the coaches' box if he was prone to sudden bursts of anger.
The Blues coach said he hadn't heard Maclure's comments, but said he was content with his coaching methods.
"I've been compromised for 30 years if that's the case. I think you should go back through a bit of footage – I've coached that way for 30 years," he said.
"I pride myself on having a cool head with directives to my playing group under all circumstances."
Meanwhile, Malthouse said Jarrad Waite and Jeff Garlett would be both in the mix to return for Friday night's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Waite and Garlett have been demoted to the VFL in recent weeks, but may get their chance to add some forward line spark for the 14th-placed Blues.
Malthouse also confirmed Troy Menzel, who has shaken off the effects of a shoulder complaint, would be fit to line up on Friday night.
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