The 11 options Michael Voss could call on to save injury-ravaged Carlton’s season
Carlton’s staggering injury list has left Michael Voss with 11 players to choose from to fill six spots for this weekend’s must-win clash against West Coast. Who’s in line to save the Blues?
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Carlton’s depth is about to receive the ultimate test when the club travels west with its season on the line while managing a staggering 17 injuries.
Charlie Curnow (ankle), Harry McKay (quad), Adam Saad (hamstring), Lachie Fogarty (collarbone), Jordan Boyd (adductor) and Jack Martin (hamstring) were ruled out on Tuesday as the Blues injury list swelled to epidemic levels.
The 16th-placed Eagles have been crunched into favouritism with most bookies as they prepare to host a Carlton side which could feature at least two debutants.
The Blues have so far had only one debut this year (Jaxon Binns as sub in round 7).
Michael Voss and his match committee have 10 guaranteed players to choose from to fill six vacancies created by the injury carnage in Sunday’s heavy loss to Hawthorn.
Orazio Fantasia would present at 11th option if he proves his fitness this week after a calf issue.
Of those 10, only Lewis Young (64 games), Corey Durdin (45), Jack Carroll (19) and Binns (1) have AFL experience.
“We will find out a bit about us in the next couple of weeks,” coach Michael Voss said after his side’s 74-point loss to Hawthorn.
“It’s a bit of a blow, how the day has panned out. But we’re going to find out a bit about us and there’s an opportunity that’s sitting right in front of us. You don’t wish those away.
“We’re in a spot (where) we’re going to see it out as strong as we can and we’ve got to put some excitement around that.
“That’s what I would prefer to be able to go after and that’s probably what we’ll start to turn our eyes to.”
Skipper Patrick Cripps added: “One thing I know about this group — if you look at the season as a whole, everyone goes through spurts.
“We’re going through one of those at the moment. But we know there’s a couple of games left to go and we’re in a position where we’ve got a say on it.
“We’re going to do everything we can to have a say.”
Carlton has confirmed mid-season draftee Cooper Lord will make his debut against West Coast after averaging 27 disposals and six tackles in the VFL.
The Blues have 17 players in their casualty ward this week, more than injury-ravaged
Brisbane Lions and GWS Giants (11) are the only top-eight sides with more than 10 injuries, while bottom-three sides Richmond (13), West Coast (10) and North Melbourne (10) are also in double figures.
Carlton’s reserves team defeated Geelong by 23 points on Saturday, with VFL-listed forward Liam McMahon the star with seven goals.
McMahon was formerly on Collingwood’s list and was considered a mid-season draft chance before the Blues opted to select Lord.
The Blues have crashed to ninth on the ladder and must defeat West Coast and St Kilda in their remaining games to feature in finals.
Carlton has not lost to the Eagles since 2021 and has won its last three games against West Coast by an average of 81 points.
Originally published as The 11 options Michael Voss could call on to save injury-ravaged Carlton’s season
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