CARLTON has finalised its four inclusions for this weekend’s crucial clash with North Melbourne.
And there’s good news aplenty for Bluebaggers.
Among the inclusions are the long-awaited returns of Charlie Curnow and Tom Williamson, as well as the anticipated debut of Liam Stocker.
Stocker was selected with pick No.19 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, with the youngster earning his spot after standout form for the Northern Blues over the opening rounds.
With injuries to Kade Simpson and Nic Newman, the youngster will get his opportunity to make a name for himself across half-back in game one.
This is exciting!
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) May 3, 2019
Liam Stocker will debut in the Old Dark Navy Blue on Sunday.#BoundByBlue
With Mitch McGovern a notable out due to hamstring tightness, Charlie Curnow provides a significant boost for Carlton’s forward stocks.
Curnow had an interrupted run to start the season after bone bruising to his knee during the Round 2 clash with Port Adelaide.
His return to the senior line-up is a timely inclusion, with Sunday marking brother Ed Curnow’s 150th AFL game.
The weekend’s match will also see the welcomed return of young defender Tom Williamson, who will join Stocker in bolstering the injured backline.
After an impactful debut season in 2017, Williamson makes his return after sitting out the entire 2018 season with a back injury.
It’s been a long time coming for the third-year Blue, who has not played a senior game football in over 600 days.
With Matthew Kreuzer out with a corked hamstring, the Blues have called upon Andrew Phillips as a direct replacement. This will be the first time the ruckman features in AFL competition since Round 2.
In: Charlie Curnow, Andrew Phillips, Liam Stocker, Tom Williamson
Out: Matthew Kreuzer (adductor), Mitch McGovern (hamstring), Nic Newman (knee), Kade Simpson (hamstring)
New: Liam Stocker (Dandenong Stingrays)