Laidler dislocated his left kneecap in Carlton’s second round NAB Cup match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium March 4th. It was thought he may miss up to six weeks after having arthroscopic surgery to flush out the knee the week the week after suffering the dislocation.
“Jeremy has made a remarkable recovery from the injury. It is a real credit to him and the Carlton medical and fitness staff that he will return in such a short time. Obviously if there was any risk we would not be taking him into such an important game,” said General Manager Football Operations Andrew McKay.
Laidler’s return is a real boost for the Blues who will go into round one without two defenders, Michael Jamison and Nick Duigan who are both expected to commence their 2012 season in the next two weeks.
While Carlton will have no debutants in tomorrow night’s game, two players will reach their 50 game milestones. Mitch Robinson will play his 50th game for Carlton while Lachie Henderson will play his 50th AFL game in what will be his 35th game for Carlton. Lachie played 15 games for the Brisbane Lions in 2008 and 2009 before joining Carlton for the 2010 season.
Carlton’s selected 22 for tomorrow night’s game has eight changes to the side that narrowly last year’s semi-final to West Coast in Perth
Michael Jamison, Nick Duigan, Andrew Walker and Rob Warnock are all missing due to injury while Aaron Joseph, David Ellard and Marcus Davies have not been selected in the team and Setanta O’hAilpin who is now at GWS.
Players who will be in action for Carlton tomorrow night but missed the heartbreaking semi-final in Perth are Bryce Gibbs, Matthew Kreuzer and Jarrad Waite who all missed the final through injury, the three emergencies from that heartbreaking loss to West Coast, Paul Bower, Jordan Russell and Shaun Hampson together with Ed Curnow and Kane Lucas.
Carlton’s selected 22 for tomorrow night’s game has six changes to the side that narrowly last year’s semi-final to West Coast in Perth
Michael Jamison, Nick Duigan, Andrew Walker and Rob Warnock are all missing due to injury while Aaron Joseph has not been selected in the team and Setanta O’hAilpin who is now at GWS.
Players who will be in action for Carlton tomorrow night but missed the heartbreaking semi-final in Perth are Bryce Gibbs, Matthew Kreuzer and Jarrad Waite who all missed the final through injury, and the three emergencies from that heartbreaking loss to West Coast, Paul Bower, Jordan Russell and Shaun Hampson.
Carlton's opening round line-up:
B: C.Yarran L.Henderson B.Thornton
HB: D.Armfield P.Bower Z.Tuohy
C: H.Scotland K.Simpson J.Russell
HF: J.Garlett J.Waite B.Gibbs
F: E.Betts S.Hampson M.Robinson
R: M.Kreuzer M.Murphy C.Judd
INT: K.Lucas E.Curnow A.Carrazzo J.Laidler
EMG: A.Collins, B.McLean, M.Davies
