Carlton has been boosted by three big inclusions but there’s no obvious replacement for injured star Sam Docherty ahead of the Gather Round opener against Adelaide.
Midfielders Sam Walsh and Matt Kennedy return to the side and will help the Blues’ surprisingly poor stoppage scoring so far this season, while Blake Acres should take his spot on a wing.
Lochie O’Brien and Josh Honey have been omitted by coach Michael Voss.
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TEAM WHISPERS: Latest selection news ahead of Round 5
At Adelaide a sudden selection squeeze has seen Ned McHenry and Lachie Gollant dropped, with Darcy Fogarty to add to an already firing forward line.
Luke Pedlar also returns as Matthew Nicks’ men try to make it three consecutive wins.
But the move to omit McHenry, who polled five coaches’ votes in the win over Fremantle last week, left many surprised.
“McHenry is about the stiffest bloke in Australia right now,” Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“I’m not sure Pedlar deserves his spot ahead of McHenry, I know he’s a highly-rated young kid, but McHenry last week was absolutely superb.
“They have got some selection pressure which is testament that they’re a darn good side now.”
The teams for the remainder of Round 5’s matches will be confirmed on Thursday evening.
Membrey no certainty to start for Saints | 02:03
AFL ROUND 5 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
ADELAIDE CROWS v CARLTON
Thursday April 13, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval
CROWS
B: Doedee, Murray, Michalanney
HB: Smith, Butts, Hinge
C: Dawson, Laird, Sholl
HF: Rankine, Thilthorpe, Sloane
F: Walker, Fogarty, Murphy
FOLL: O’Brien, Rachele, Soligo
I/C: Jones, Milera, Pedlar, Keays
EMG: Schoenberg, McHenry, Himmelberg, Gollant
IN: Fogarty, Pedlar
OUT: McHenry, Gollant (both omitted), Schoenberg (sub)
BLUES
B: Young, Weitering, Saad
HB: Cowan, McGovern, Newman
C: Cerra, Cripps, Hollands
HF: Fisher, McKay, Silvagni
F: E.Curnow, C.Curnow, Motlop
FOLL: De Koning, Hewett, Walsh
I/C: Acres, Kennedy, Durdin, Pittonet
EMG: Plowman, Honey, O’Brien, Carroll
IN: Walsh, Acres, Kennedy
OUT: O’Brien, Honey (both omitted), Docherty (injured), Carroll (sub)
FREMANTLE v GOLD COAST SUNS
Friday April 14, 5:10pm at Norwood Oval
DOCKERS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
SUNS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
RICHMOND v SYDNEY SWANS
Friday April 14, 8:10pm at Adelaide Oval
TIGERS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
SWANS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
BRISBANE LIONS v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday April 15, 1:10pm at Adelaide Hills
LIONS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
KANGAROOS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
ESSENDON v MELBOURNE
Saturday April 15, 4:10pm at Adelaide Oval
BOMBERS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
DEMONS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
PORT ADELAIDE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday April 15, 7:50pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
Teams TBA Thursday evening
BULLDOGS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
GEELONG v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday April 16, 1:10pm at Adelaide Oval
CATS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
EAGLES
Teams TBA Thursday evening
GWS GIANTS v HAWTHORN
Sunday April 16, 3:20pm at Norwood Oval
GIANTS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
HAWKS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
COLLINGWOOD v ST KILDA
Sunday April 16, 4:50pm at Adelaide Oval
MAGPIES
Teams TBA Thursday evening
SAINTS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
