AFL greats David King and Leigh Montagna have taken aim at Carlton's two big off-season acquisitions, Zac Williams and Adam Saad, after the Blues blew a 27-point lead to Bulldogs on Sunday.
Carlton was dominant through nearly three entire quarters before conceding six goals in the final term as the Bulldogs mounted a fourth-quarter comeback.
Williams, 26, and Saad 26, both joined the club during last year's trade period on long-term deals, with hopes the duo would help lead Carlton to its first finals appearance since 2013. The deal for Saad also forced Carlton to give up pick eight in the draft.
Carlton coach David Teague revealed Williams played yesterday's match despite suffering a minor injury, but that didn't stop Montagna from issuing a grim assessment of the two off-season recruits.
© GettyAdam Saad, Zac Williams.
"I want to put some heat on some players," Montagna told Fox Footy.
"They brought Zac Williams to the club and he's on something like $800,000. He had nine disposals today, where was he when the game is up for grabs? He's a big marquee recruit.
"Same with Adam Saad, he's played a couple of good games this year but he only had the 12 disposals today and when I have a look in the five losses for Carlton, Adam Saad has averaged 17 disposals.
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"Between Saad and Williams, they've polled one vote in the coaches association in eight rounds. These two players were almost the saviours, as they were gonna be the difference between Carlton being outside the top eight to being in the top eight.
"Where are these guys?"
© GettyZac Williams.
While Williams has seen time in Carlton's midfield this season, he was brought over from GWS having spent most of his career with the Giants playing at halfback.
"He was a halfback at the Giants for a reason, they didn't think he had the tank to play in the midfield. Now maybe Carlton are figuring that out, that maybe he's not a midfielder maybe he's a burst player, but they want to use Cripps in that capacity," Montagna added.
"So I just think they've still got some other issues on the field as well as what's happening off the field."
In the case of Saad, King took particular aim at the speedster's effectiveness with the ball.
"Put on watch - the ball use of Saad, It's 50-50 at the best," King said.
"This is the attention you draw when you put your hand out for the big contracts ... when you put your hand out for marquee money, you get marquee exposure."
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