Nick Duigan is set to resume for Carlton against the Western Bulldogs in Sunday’s twilight match at Etihad Stadium, having been sidelined for the past two matches with a calf strain.
 
Carlton Senior Coach Brett Ratten today confirmed that Duigan would replace Simon White, who suffered a slight strain to the hamstring in his comeback match against Richmond last Saturday.
 
For the 12-game no-nonsense former Norwood defender, the fortnight’s lay-off after suffering the calf twinge in the Sydney match afforded him the rare chance to replenish the batteries.
 
“You want to play in every game, but because I was injured the opportunity was there to freshen up,” Duigan said. “Going into the second half of the season, if you’re going in without a niggler you’re pretty lucky, but the body’s holding up really well.”
 
Ratten concurred that Duigan’s enforced break might have served as a blessing in disguise.
 
“For Nick it’s probably been pretty good for him to have this enforced break because of the strain,”Ratten said. “He played the most gametime of any player before that injury at our club, through pre-season and games, so for him it’s been a nice freshener and he can now bounce back and go for it. He’s an older type at 26, he’s mentally strong and I think the break will really help him finish the season off strongly.”
 
Of further positive news and under on-baller Ed Curnow is also set to resume, albeit with the Northern Bullants.
 
As Ratten said: “Curnow will play, but my gut feel is probably not at AFL level. His form was okay before he got injured (but) not good enough to come back into the seniors probably”.