CARLTON’S Sam Docherty will return to football this weekend in the first elimination final against Brisbane.

After injuring his ACL back in Opening Round, Docherty was informed on Tuesday morning that he would make his comeback this weekend.

Having progressed through his rehabilitation for the last five months with his personal sights set on a 2024 return, the Blues veteran has put himself in a position to play for the Club’s second straight September campaign.

It’s a return defined by resilience for the beloved Blue, with Saturday’s game to mark 183 days since the injury.

It will mean that Docherty’s most recent three games will all come against his old side Brisbane at the Gabba: the 2023 preliminary final, 2024 Opening Round and now the 2024 elimination final.

So often described as a courageous Blue, Carlton is sure to get a lift when Docherty’s name is on the team sheet on Thursday at 6:20pm.