GEORGE Hewett will be back in New South Wales this weekend.

The former Swan will return to the state where he started his AFL career, reprising his role in Carlton’s line-up after missing last weekend with a hand injury.

Hewett got through the entire main training session on Thursday in preparation for this Saturday’s first 2023 interstate trip for the Blues.

Hewett will be a like-for-like swap for Matthew Kennedy in the midfield.

Kennedy developed soreness in his calf during the week: he will not make the trip to Sydney and at this stage is a chance to return next week.

Carlton’s midfield group will once again get to work at the feet of Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet, with the two-ruck pairing combining strongly in the win over reigning premier Geelong last week.

For the third consecutive week, Lochie O’Brien is one of four Carlton emergencies with the chance to be named as sub an hour before the game: he joins Paddy Dow, Josh Honey and Lachie Plowman.

The Blues will be looking to repeat the dosage from their last trip to Giants Stadium in Round 9 last year, which marked their first win at the venue since the Giants’ introduction into the competition. They completed the double over the Giants with a six-goal win at Marvel Stadium later that campaign. 

In: George Hewett
Out: Matthew Kennedy (calf), Lochie O’Brien