"It's interesting. I'd reserve that until selection," he said on SEN when discussing media reports that Cloke was still on the outer. "I think there's a lot of things that come out of football clubs that are incorrect."

"Depending on what they want and how they want to take the opposition on. I think it's practical sense, particularly when you are Collingwood at the moment, you are four and six playing a side that is just in front of you and each trying to reach into that final eight.

"One would suggest that they would try and take them on with height and scoring power. But each to their own," Malthouse said.

"One would suggest if it was a tall out there'd be a tall in ... but it's interesting reading.

"When you haven't got enough players then you have to look at what's available. If I can read it right the things that I've been listening Nathan say is that 'we'll bring him in when he's right to play', now if he's going stand on that then he is going to find that he will have to find that he will have to wait until Travis is in good form before he brings him (back).

"And it makes sense ... if a player has been out for a while and you rush him back and he hasn't got form then there is only one consequence.

Malthouse, who coached the Blues last year, said he was thrilled to see Carlton doing so well, saying the club's good run with injuries was a key to performing well.

"I think the most important thing is to have a very healthy list, when you have a good healthy list you start to play with confidence and Carlton are playing with a lot of confidence, there's no doubt about that," he said.

"Their backline is standing up with some good young players ... it's fantastic and what it does show is that good list, healthy list, confidence, know you game style and this competition is wide open probably from seven down to about 12."