AFL round 23: All the latest selection news ahead of round 23

While the Blues initially feared Harry McKay was lost for the rest of the home and away season, the former Coleman winner appears close to returning much earlier than expected.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 15: Harry McKay of the Blues stands in the huddle at three quarter time during the 2023 AFL Round 18 match between the Carlton Blues and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Carlton star Harry McKay only needs to train fully this week to take on Gold Coast this weekend.

In a shock development the Blues star has sped through his recovery period from meniscus surgery despite being listed last week as 3-5 weeks away from returning.

He has missed only four weeks with that surgery after pulling up sore after a contest in the game against Port Adelaide, with the Blues initially fearing he would miss 6-8 weeks.

McKay pulled up well last year from similar meniscus surgery and kicked 19 goals in his first five games returning in round 13.

McKay was not expected to be seen again in the regular season. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Blues will be confident he can hit the ground running if he trains this week, with two weeks of play before a pre-finals bye.

Carlton has never considered not playing him alongside Charlie Curnow when he is ready to return despite conjecture about whether the forward line operates better without him.

The Blues will make a call on star midfielder Sam Walsh after three weeks out with hamstring issues, while Adam Cerra has missed two weeks with his own hamstring issue.

There are mathematical ways in which Carlton can miss the finals but they can also finish top four if they win their final two games against Gold Coast and GWS and results go their way.