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Fade-outs a Carlton worry
These statistics paint a picture of how Carlton have faded out of matches.
The substitutes
Stewart, Steele and Pickett among the big inclusions
By Roy Ward
Geelong star Tom Stewart has been named to return from his knee injury for Geelong’s clash with Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.
The Cats made the late call to leave Stewart out last week to give his knee more time to improve and football general manager Andrew Mackie was “optimistic” about Stewart’s return earlier this week.
Stewart is joined in the side by Shaun Mannagh, who starred in the VFL last week, while Mitch Knevitt (managed) and Jordan Clark (omitted) were left out of the side.
Tom Stewart in action against Hawthorn last year.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Demons have called in some big guns for their trip to Geelong with young midfielder Caleb Windsor and star small forward Kysaiah Pickett leading the inclusions.
They’re joined by Daniel Turner and Charlie Spargo, while Jack Billings, Aidan Johnson and Blake Howes were omitted and Xavier Lindsay (knee) is out injured.
St Kilda skipper Jack Steele was named in an extended squad for the Saints’ clash with Port Adelaide in Adelaide on Sunday. Steele was a late change last round.
The Power have regained star midfielder Zak Butters from injury, while Ollie Lord, Jeremy Finlayson and Lachie Jones have come into their extended squad, with ruckman Ivan Soldo dropped.
North Melbourne will hand a debut to first-round pick Matt Whitlock after the Shepparton-raised key defender impressed over the pre-season.
Griffin Logue will also return, with Toby Pink and Will Phillips omitted for the Roos’ clash with the Swans, who have lost star Tom Papley for six to eight weeks with a crack in his heel. He’s been replaced by Caiden Cleary.
Adelaide have named Luke Nankervis and Lachlan Murphy to travel to the Gold Coast for a clash with the Suns, replacing Josh Rachele (rib) and Matt Crouch (managed).
The Suns made one change, with Ben Ainsworth coming in and Nick Holman omitted but named among the emergencies.
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Blues unveil Sayers board replacement
Carlton president Rob Priestley has written to Blues members to announce two new directors including a replacement for departed president Luke Sayers.
Corporate finance expert Michael Burn, who is a former chair of the Victoria Racing Club, and barrister Christopher Townsend have joined the Blues’ board.
Sayers stepped down over a lewd image that was posted to his social media account after an AFL investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing.
And Priestly said director Tim Lincoln was stepping away from the board to focus on his other professional commitments.
The new president said tonight, against arch-rival Collingwood, was the night to snap their 0-3 start to the season. “The first three weeks have been frustrating for every one of us, each game we have had on our own boot, but we haven’t got the job done – we all acknowledge that we need to be better than that,” Priestley said.
Pre-match scenes: The crowd arrives
One of the MCG’s famous scoreboards at the Punt Road end.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Members queue to enter the stadium.Credit: Getty Images
McKay remains sidelined for Blues
By Andrew Wu
Carlton forward Harry McKay was absent from training on Wednesday and was not named to play in the Blues’ blockbuster game against Collingwood.
McKay played in an intraclub scratch match on the weekend and trained with the main group on Tuesday but was not among the 26 players who took part in a light session at IKON Park.
Harry McKay did not train with Carlton’s main group on Wednesday.Credit: Getty Images
The Blues made three changes to their side for Thursday night’s match at the MCG, with Ashton Moir, Cooper Lord and debutante Will White coming in while Matthew Cottrell, Jordan Boyd and Francis Evans were left out.
The Magpies made two changes with Billy Frampton and Brody Mihocek coming in at the expense of Reef McInnes and Mason Cox.
Blues coach Michael Voss refused to give an update on McKay’s progress at his weekly press pregame press conference.
“[I] probably won’t go into the ‘H’ stuff,” Voss said. “The important thing for us is we don’t go into the dialogue weekly about where he’s at. I think we’ve been pretty sound on our position as a club that when he’s named in the team he’ll be ready to go.
“When we get to the point that he’s named you’ll just know that he’s ready to go.”
White to debut, Hollands back in VFL
Small forward Will White will make his AFL debut, just 38 days after being signed to Carlton’s list as a replacement for No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith, who suffered an ACL injury in the pre-season.
After letting Matt Owies go to West Coast in the off-season, the Blues have struggled for goals out of their small forwards.
Carlton had just four goal-kickers – Brodie Kemp, Charlie Curnow, Lewis Young and Jesse Motlop – in last Friday night’s loss against the Western Bulldogs.
Carlton have made three changes, with only utility Matt Cottrell injured and unavailable.
Small forward Francis Evans and defender Jordan Boyd make way for Ashton Moir and Cooper Lord.
Elijah Hollands, who took personal leave on the eve of the season, will make his comeback via Carlton’s VFL team this weekend.
“Elijah’s been able to take some time away from the club, but I guess over the last little while he’s had more presence within our program,” Blues coach Michael Voss said.
“I guess how he finds his way back into the team is by putting in a solid performance.”
Collingwood have picked premiership player Billy Frampton as the replacement for injured young defender Reef McInnes.
Set for a breakout season, 22-year-old McInnes ruptured his ACL in the Magpies’ last-start win against the Western Bulldogs and won’t play again this year.
Premiership veteran Mason Cox has been axed in favour of forward Brody Mihocek, who missed the clash with the Bulldogs due to soreness.
After winning 10 of their last 12 matches against Carlton, Collingwood will start as warm favourites to move to 3-1 and send their bitter rivals to 0-4.
The Magpies won both games last season by combined tally of nine points.
AAP
Fade-outs a Carlton worry
These statistics paint a picture of how Carlton have faded out of matches.
Good evening and hello
Yes, all of a sudden, it’s round four of the AFL season. And, yes, the round launches into action with a Thursday night blockbuster. Tonight Carlton will be desperate to avoid a 0-4 start to the season. There’s much at state for Collingwood, too.
