CARLTON will welcome back two experienced Blues ahead of its traditional clash with Essendon at the MCG on Sunday.

Darcy Lang and Alex Fasolo will both return to the senior side after impressive performances in the VFL over recent weeks.

It marks an important step forward for Lang, who has worked hard to make a return from a persistent foot injury to play his first senior game since 2018. While better known as a  crafty half-back, Lang has also enjoyed added another string to his bow moving up to the midfield on several occasions for the Northern Blues. 

Also returning to the line-up is dynamic midfielder Will Setterfield to bolster the Blues young midfield brigade. It will be a chance for the youngster to find more consistency at the top level, having had an interrupted start to his time with the Blues.

Fasolo will also make his return to the AFL for just his third game in Navy Blue after crossing from Collingwood in the off-season. The skilful half forward has been named on the extended bench over recent weeks, but finally gets a senior nod against the Bombers.

The  26-year-old will be a handy addition up forward as the Blues look to build the crucial midfield-forward connection that has evaded them over recent weeks. 

While the team will miss the experience of Kade Simpson, Dale Thomas and Mitch McGovern, coach Brendon Bolton remains confident that the young team will be able to take the challenge up to their traditional rivals at the MCG on Sunday.

Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Bolton highlighted the importance of restricting the Bombers’ run-and-carry off the backline – while also making sure they take a more aggressive mindset into the game.

“When we get it [the ball] in time and space you can see what we can do,” he said.

“But teams are trying to take that off you. That’s always the balance, being able to get those opportunities in offence and teams trying to stop you.”

“But we also need to make sure we don’t give them time and space, they [Essendon] rebound the ball well from forward 50.”

In: Darcy Lang, Alex Fasolo, Will Setterfield

Out: Kade Simpson (general soreness), Mitch McGovern (ankle), Thomas (omitted)