CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse cryptically vented his frustration at Jarrad Waite's one-match suspension after the Blues' nine-point loss to St Kilda on Monday night, suggesting it was as wasteful as spending money on parking fines.
Waite missed Monday night's game after being suspended for one match for a minor headbutt on Melbourne's Tom McDonald in round six.
Malthouse's frustration on Monday night was probably due in large part to how well Waite had played against the Demons, his first match of 2013.
Returning from injury, Waite underlined just how important he remains as a focal point in the Blues' attack, taking 10 marks and kicking 2.2.
Having to make do without him again, especially in a game when the Blues got to within four points of the Saints at the 17-minute mark of the last quarter, clearly did not sit well with Malthouse.
"When you lose players through suspension it's almost a waste," Malthouse said post-match.
"It's like getting a parking fine. All you do is you pay your money out and you think, 'What am I getting back for it?'
"So, no, I don't particularly like losing players through suspension."
At least Malthouse knows he will regain Waite for next Sunday's game against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
He was not sure after Monday's match whether he would be able to call on David Ellard (left calf), Chris Yarran (hamstring) and Michael Jamison (right shoulder) against the Power.
All three were injured in the first quarter against the Saints. Ellard, who was substituted out of the game, and Yarran did not return after going to the bench midway through the first term, while Jamison played out the game in obvious discomfort.
In his post-match press conference, Malthouse said he was yet to speak to Carlton's doctors about the severity of the trio's injuries.
"(It was) bad enough not to come back on, let's put it that way," Malthouse said of Ellard's injury.
"The other boys I'm suspecting that they'll be looked at now and I'll find out a bit more about that tomorrow."
Carlton vice-captain Andrew Carrazzo could also be in doubt to play against Port after he was a late withdrawal against the Saints with a calf injury.
To add to the Blues' woes, small forward Eddie Betts could be scrutinised by the Match Review Panel for a bump on Nathan Wright early in the third quarter. The Saint had to be helped from the ground by trainers and was substituted from the game soon afterwards.
Asked whether he had any concerns about the incident, Malthouse said it was a matter for the MRP.
Nick Bowen is a reporter with AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
