OUT TO respond.
Carlton has made a solitary change to its 23-man team to take on Hawthorn tomorrow night.
It was confirmed earlier in the week that the Blues would be able to call on the services of Charlie Curnow, with the dual Coleman Medallist available for action after an extensive training block in recent weeks.
Returning for his first game since August of 2024, Curnow comes into the side in place of fellow forward Francis Evans, who has been omitted.
Curnow returns to the attacking 50 alongside Harry McKay as well as Brodie Kemp, the first time the trio have all played in the forward line since Kemp’s positional switch late last year.
AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss was adamant that an improved Carlton performance wouldn't just hinge on the return of the key forward.
“We’re not in the conversation around one person is going to make a difference. What makes us difference is staying connected as an 18-man team, we’ve spoken a lot about squad mentality. That’s what gets the job done," Voss said.
"As we look for the best version of ourselves, it has to include everyone and we’ll let the really good players bring their talent and our role players getting their job done. We’ve all got to buy into the same thing.
“It does help that he’s got an extra week under his belt. He possibly could have last week, but I think it would’ve been pulling the trigger too early. He’s well and truly ready. Speaking to him yesterday, he’s really clear and excited about getting back out there."
After starting last weekend as the sub, Sam Docherty has been named in the 18 this week, with Nick Haynes, Cooper Lord, Jesse Motlop, Sam Walsh and Zac Williams named on the interchange.
As always, the Blues will name their sub an hour before the bounce.
Thursday night’s game will mark Blake Acres’ 50th game in Navy Blue since joining the Blues at the beginning of the 2023 campaign, having missed only two matches in that time.
