Blues bolster ruck stocks to ease stress on midfield

Ruckman Tom De Koning's return will be a boost for Carlton when the Blues take on Port Adelaide. (Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Carlton coach Michael Voss reckons getting smashed in the ruck hitouts won't be a long-term winning formula as the Blues look to ease the stress on their midfielders.

The absence of Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet over the past fortnight has resulted in the Blues being comprehensively outpointed in the ruck hitouts.