FOR THE first time since 2019, Caleb Marchbank will pull on the Navy Blue guernsey at AFL level.

It was confirmed at Tuesday night’s training session that Marchbank would return on Friday night football against Essendon.

It’s a moment that Marchbank - and, indeed, all involved with Carlton - has been waiting for a long time, having returned at VFL level recently on the back of eight weeks of full training after recovering from injury.

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"'Marchy', you're playing this week"

Caleb Marchbank will make a long-awaited return from injury this Friday night.

With Jacob Weitering out of action following shoulder surgery, the Blues will call upon the co-vice captain’s locker mate in the No.22 in what will be his first game since Round 16, 2019.

Mobbed by teammates when finding out the news, it was AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss who informed Marchbank that his wait was over.

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VFL R7 | Marchbank's best on return

Watch highlights of Caleb Marchbank's return bout for the Carlton Reserves against Frankston.

“We’re all in this together. We’ve had some special moments and we’ve got some more special moments to come,” Voss said.

“We’ve got a special moment to come right now.

“‘Marchy’, you’re playing this week.”