Dual All-Australian David King believes Carlton should put All-Australian Jacob Weitering up for trade at season’s end to help accelerate the Blues rebuild.
It comes as King and fellow First Crack panellist Leigh Montagna lamented Weitering’s inability to “impose himself” during key stages of matches.
Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The 28-year-old is widely viewed as one of the AFL’s top key defenders, punctuated by the fact he’s made the past five consecutive All-Australian squads, including the final 22 last year.
Weitering, a dual best and fairest winner, had 20 disposals, nine marks and seven intercepts in the Blues’ five-point loss to Collingwood on Thursday night.
But a frustrated Montagna on Fox Footy’s First Crack pointed to four final-term incidents involving Weitering worrying about his own direct opponent from the Blues’ loss to Collingwood on Thursday night – of which three led to Collingwood goals to Nick Daicos, Oscar Steene and Jamie Elliott.
“Everyone talks about their (the Blues’) on-field leaders – and I reckon one of their on-field leaders slips under the radar that he could do more. And I’m talking about Jacob Weitering,” Montagna told Fox Footy’s First Crack.
“I think he’s a great defender. He beats his man, he does his role. But does he really influence?
“Impose yourself on the game. This is the difference between winning these close games and not.
“I’m comparing Weitering to the best key defenders in the game, because that’s what he gets talked up to be. But I don’t see him impose himself enough.
“When you talk about on-field leadership and winning these games, guys like Jacob Weitering need to impose themselves on the contest more, rather than just getting their own job done ad worrying about beating their own man.”
Montagna’s vision prompted King to suggest the Blues to be bold at the trade table.
Blues under fire after Hollands call | 06:07
“I’m putting him up for trade at the end of the year,” King told First Crack. “I’m getting two first-rounders as quick as I can.
“I want to get the rebuild rejuvenated … because of that exact vision we’ve been showing for a while.
“It’s just not team-first. He’s in a silo.”
Discussion about this post