Carlton’s third selection in the 2008 NAB Rookie Draft, David Ellard will make his AFL Debut at Subiaco on Friday night.
The Club had two enforced team changes – the losses of Bret Thornton and Adam Hartlett through injury – have opened the door for Ellard as Carlton’s 1114th senior player to take to the field, as well as Simon Wiggins and Setanta O’hAilpin.
Ellard, Wiggins, O’hAilpin and co. take their seats on the big bird under no illusions that West Coast, whilst also injury-depleted, poses a massive challenge - on a ground at which Carlton has not beaten the Eagles since Round 12, 2001, when Senior Coach Brett Ratten was still racking up possessions and his team emerged as 50-point victors.
Backs
Setanta O’hAilpin Michael Jamison Simon Wiggins
Half Backs
Bryce Gibbs Paul Bower Steven Browne
Centreline
Andrew Carrazzo Marc Murphy Heath Scotland
Half Forwards
Kade Simpson Jarrad Waite Nick Stevens
Forwards
Eddie Betts Brendan Fevola Brad Fisher
Followers
Matthew Kreuzer Chris Judd Jordan Russell
Interchange
Adam Bentick Cameron Cloke David Ellard Shaun Grigg
Emergencies
Jake Edwards Shaun Hampson Darren Pfeiffer
In
David Ellard, Setanta O’hAilpin, Simon Wiggins
Out
Adam Hartlett – hamstring, is expected to miss two weeks
Darren Pfeiffer – omitted
Bret Thornton – medial ligament, is expected to miss six weeks
New
David Ellard – Guildford Grammar (WA)/Swan Districts
177cm, 72kg – 2008 NAB Rookie Draft, 3rd round selection no. 34 overall.
Ellard will become the 1114th player to represent Carlton.