Carlton injury news: Jacob Weitering cleared of concussion while Sam Docherty shoulder injury to be assessed

Sam Docherty dislocated his shoulder in the second quarter of Friday night’s semi-final and the Blues will be sweating on scans while Jacob Weitering has been cleared of concussion.

Sam Docherty of the Blues is seen with a dislocated shoulder. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Carlton defender Sam Docherty says he is “very confident” that he will be available for a preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions after suffering a dislocated shoulder on Friday night.

Docherty said that he spent the aftermath of a semi-final win over Melbourne icing his shoulder after it popped out during the second quarter of the match.

The 29-year-old played out the game and said on Saturday that he was feeling surprisingly good.

Carlton footballer Sam Docherty arrives at Princes Park for a recovery session after Carlton defeated Melbourne in the First Semi Final last night at the MCG. Picture: Ian Currie

“From rocking up this morning, it was feeling really good,” Docherty said on ABC radio.

“It has decent range. I was starting to do a bit of strength work this morning and I spent some time with the physio.

“I am very confident I will be able to get there. It is all positive so far.”

Carlton coach Michael Voss said that Docherty was as “tough as they come” and revealed that the former co-captain had played with a tear in his calf for “three or four weeks” during the home-and-away season.

The Blues shot down any concerns over vice-captain Jacob Weitering on Saturday, after the fellow defender was seen looking dazed during the final quarter on Friday night.

Weitering copped an elbow to the throat while tackling Melbourne forward Joel Smith early in the last quarter of Friday night’s semi-final but did not undergo a concussion test at the time and finished the game.

Jacob Weitering celebrates with Carlton fans on Friday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Further assessments were conducted post-match which gave Weitering the all clear.

“He was obviously just struggling to breathe there for a little while,” Voss said on SEN radio.

“We’re comfortable with where that sits. He got struck to the throat (and) couldn’t breathe. So I reckon that’s a reason to just stop for a couple of seconds. So I think we’ll be okay there.”

Hard-running wingman Blake Acres — who kicked the winning goal against the Demons — is managing a cracked collarbone but is also expected to take his place in the line-up against the Lions.

The Blues are set to welcome back key forward Harry McKay (concussion) and small forward Jack Martin (suspension), with Voss dismissing any suggestions that McKay could be overlooked at the selection table.

“I get somewhat bemused by some of the commentary around Harry,” he said.

“If we are to take that next step, he’s important to it. So if he’s available, he will be playing.”