THE TEAM is in for the Carlton Reserves’ elimination final against Collingwood this Sunday.

For the second time in as many weeks, the Blues will come up against the Pies in VFL competition, knowing a win will keep their season alive.

It’s the first final a Carlton-affiliated VFL side will play in since 2011, with a big crowd expected at Victoria Park at 1:05pm on Sunday.

A trio of Blues who played in the final AFL game of the season - Jesse Motlop, Will Setterfield and Liam Stocker - have been named for the VFL side. Ruckman Alex Mirkov has also been named to return.

However, Tom De Koning, Josh Honey and Lachie Plowman are ineligible for selection, while VFL-listed forward Ollie Sanders has been omitted.

Having played senior AFL football after 1 July, Motlop, Setterfield and Stocker are able to feature for the Carlton Reserves given they played six VFL games throughout the season. Similarly, De Koning (three games), Honey (five games) and Plowman (three games) didn’t reach the game limit required.

Speaking to Carlton Media earlier this week, Motlop - who featured in the top five of the AFLPA’s Best First-Year Player award earlier this week - said it was another item he couldn’t wait to tick off in a debut season full of milestones.

“I can’t wait,” Motlop said.

“It’s going to be another good experience. Playing at the top level is very fun, but having that finals experience is another level.

“With that kind of local ground, it’s going to be a different feel but it’s still going to have the same energy. The boys are ready to go out and compete.”

To thank football fans for their outstanding support throughout the 2022 season, the AFL announced earlier this week that entry to all matches in the first week of the VFL finals series is free.