CAPTAIN Marc Murphy will run onto the MCG to face Port Adelaide this weekend alongside his great mate and 300-game milestone-man Kade Simpson.
With this Saturday’s clash marking a momentous occasion in the Club’s history, the Blues skipper passed his fitness test and will take his place in the midfield for the first time since Round 9.
‘Murph’ is one of five inclusions this week, with speedster Jarrod Pickett also making his way into the side. After kicking the winning goal for the Northern Blues in their stirring victory against Collingwood on Sunday, Pickett made an immediate impact in his return to the footy field.
Three goals from 14 disposals, including what was ultimately the match-winner.
— Northern Blues FC (@NBluesFC) June 24, 2018
After his return to footy last weekend, @CarltonFC's Jarrod Pickett showed glimpses of his pure excitement in today's win. #Northbound #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/PAsoTVkdko
Named in the starting forward line, Saturday’s clash will mark his first senior game of year, after innocuously injuring his wrist a week before the season opener against Richmond.
Key forward Levi Casboult, midfielder Nick Graham and ruckman Andrew Phillips round out this week’s changes.
Matthew Kreuzer will miss this week’s game after rolling his ankle and suffering concussion against Collingwood in Round 14, while Lachie Plowman will be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Dale Thomas misses through suspension, while Lochie O'Brien has been managed and Cameron O'Shea omitted.
Meanwhile, Irishman Ciaran Byrne returns to the Northern Blues’ line-up this week after recovering from a quad injury.
Carlton's Round 15 line-up:
Backs | 6. Kade Simpson | 17. Sam Rowe | 14. Liam Jones |
Half-backs | 13. Jed Lamb | 23. Jacob Weitering | 21. Jarrod Garlett |
Centreline | 3. Marc Murphy (C) | 9. Patrick Cripps | 25. Zac Fisher |
Half-forwards | 2. Paddy Dow | 30. Charlie Curnow | 29. Cameron Polson |
Forwards | 33. Jarrod Pickett | 1. Jack Silvagni | 5. Sam Petrevski-Seton |
Followers | 34. Andrew Phillips | 7. Matthew Kennedy | 35. Ed Curnow |
Interchange | 41. Aaron Mullett | 41. Levi Casboult | 46. Matthew Wright |
32. Nick Graham | |||
Emergencies | 4. Lochie O'Brien | 36. Pat Kerr | 16. Darcy Lang |
24. Cameron O'Shea |
In: Murphy, Pickett, Graham, Casboult, Phillips
Out: Kreuzer (concussion), Plowman (knee), Thomas (suspended), O'Shea (omitted), O'Brien (managed)
Milestone: Simpson (300 AFL games)