A WEEK after getting his first senior nod as a Carlton player, Will Hayes has been elevated to the Blues’ starting line-up for the first time. 

Named as sub against West Coast in his Navy Blue debut, Hayes is now in the 22 for Saturday night’s big clash with the ladder-leading Geelong. 

It’ll be Hayes’ first game on the MCG in front of a bumper crowd at the home of football, with the Blues having made two changes to the starting line-up from last week’s win. 

Liam Stocker also receives a senior recall following a 30-disposal performance for the Carlton Reserves last week, impressing in both offence and defence in the VFL. 

Josh Honey and Lochie O’Brien have both been omitted. 

They are named as emergencies alongside Sam Durdin and Will Setterfield, with one of the four to be named as Carlton’s medical sub an hour before the bounce. 

All the talk this week has centred around the battle of the big forwards, with the top three in this year’s leading goalkicker race - Charlie Curnow, Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins - joined by reigning Coleman Medallist, Harry McKay.

Jacob Weitering and Lewis Young will once again take on the key defensive roles after the former’s return to the line-up last weekend. 

At the other end of the ground, Sam De Koning will be in Geelong colours, coming up against his older brother Tom - on the Blue's 23rd birthday no less - for the first time.

Saturday’s game begins at 7:25pm from the MCG.

In: Liam Stocker
Out: Josh Honey, Lochie O'Brien

After starting last weekend as medical sub, Will Hayes has been elevated to the starting 22.