AFL finals news: Jack Martin, Harry McKay to miss semi final against Melbourne

The verdict is in – and Carlton will have to make at least two changes to the side that defeated Sydney last night, with Jack Martin suspended and Harry McKay concussed.

Nick Blakey grimaces after the Martin whack. Picture: Getty Images

Carlton forward Jack Martin faces the prospect of missing a huge semi-final against Melbourne after being offered a hefty two-match ban by the AFL match review officer.

Martin caught Sydney opponent Nick Blakey high with a swinging right arm as he attempted lay a tackle during the first quarter of their elimination final clash on Friday night.

Blakey was visibly shaken by the knock to his chin and was taken down to the Sydney rooms to be assessed but returned played out the game.

Martin said post-match that his coach Michael Voss had remarked “good tackle” after he came to the bench following the incident.

However, MRO Michael Christian did not agree and determined that the incident worthy of being a reportable offence.

Nick Blakey after the Martin hit. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It was graded as careless conduct, high contact and high impact, resulting in a two-match ban.

Martin played a key role for the Blues in their six-point win over Sydney and would be a big loss for the side after producing a strong second half of the season.

He kicked two goals against the Swans, while he was also pushed into defence in the dying minutes of the last quarter and took two crucial intercept marks.

Martin’s ban could force the Blues to make two changes to their attack against Melbourne, with key forward Harry McKay also set to miss the semi-final.

McKay entered concussion protocols after being involved in a head clash in a marking contest during the third quarter of the win over the Swans.

Jack Silvagni (knee) will be in a race against time to put his hand up to return on Friday night, having missed the side’s past six matches.

Paddy Dow, Ollie Hollands and Zac Fisher were the Blues’ emergencies against Sydney, with small forward Jesse Motlop having been the starting substitute.

Originally published as AFL finals news: Jack Martin, Harry McKay to miss semi final against Melbourne