ADELAIDE Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has revived his argument from 1985 that the game needs as many as six interchange players.
Without taking anything from Port Adelaide's record 103-point win at Adelaide Oval on Friday - he believes it was outstanding and will "worry the life out of a lot of sides" in the finals - he indicated the demands on the players had become far too great.
It follows Carlton captain Marc Murphy being taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital - and cleared of serious concern after X-rays - suffering concussion after colliding with Port's Cam O'Shea during the second quarter and smashing his head on the ground.
"I know it sounds silly, but I argued this case (for six interchange players) in 1985 when I was in my second year," Malthouse said. "They all looked at me and thought I was a man from wherever.
"I don't suspect for one moment it will ever get near that, but I think the way the game has gone, the power athlete of today is greater than (that) of yesteryear.
"We can make anything we like about us old players, but the game is comprehensively better and comprehensively quicker and stronger. The rules don't allow the game to stop too often.
"I would certainly not reduce the number of games a year, but I think without a shadow of doubt that any game that is 80 minutes and ends up going for 50 per cent more has a real problem in today's environment for entertainment.
"That blows out games, and it also blows out players. If you have a good long list you will get by, but if you haven't you will just struggle right the way through."
Malthouse was gracious in defeat, and stressed that he did not want to make excuses. He rightly pointed out that his players had been under huge physical pressure for some time - including recent one-kick losses to premiership threats Fremantle and Geelong.
"We have been up for so long; our boys were very tired (tonight)," Malthouse said. "I learnt during the week they were desperately tired, trying to keep their heads above water against sides that are all in, or are fighting for a position in the eight.
"I have been in this position before; it is so desperately tough... particularly when we start to lose players.
"The thing that I worried about most coming out of last week and the week before and the week before was that it was a matter of time before, I believe, it took its toll. There were some indicators during the week they weren't as polished or as you would like going into a game.
"Port are probably better than last year, and that is significant."
Against Port, Carlton recorded its lowest score of 5.7 (37), worse than the 5.10 (40) it kicked in 2004. The 103-point margin was Carlton's biggest loss to Port - surpassing an 89-point loss in 1998. It was also Carlton's biggest loss for the season.
A key element, according to Malthouse, was the number of turnovers. "I think they kicked 16.14 from turnovers and we broke even in clearances," he said. "When there was structure we were sound. When it was open, they blitzed us; they were fantastic.
"I would not use today as an example. It would be unfair to say that's us; that's the most miserable we have played, probably since the Essendon game.
"We have played a lot of players (this season) and we will look at the playing list on Monday week. We won't be swayed by today."
