Carlton to unveil trio of tall forwards, No.1 draft pick for first time in Hawthorn scratch match

Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern is ready to take his place in the Blues’ team that will face Hawthorn in a practice match on Friday and he’ll get an up close look at the role coach Brendon Bolton has in mind for him.

Mitch McGovern at Carlton training. Picture: Michael Klein

Carlton will showcase as many as five additions to its best 22 in a Thursday practice match where Mitch McGovern will step out in navy blue for the first time.

Brendon Bolton’s side will take on Hawthorn at Ikon Park in one of a series of official practice matches organised after the reduction of the JLT series to two matches.

Melbourne will play Collingwood on Friday morning in a contest of two 2018 top-four sides and Geelong and North Melbourne will lock horns in a battle of the Scott brothers.

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Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern at pre-season training.

Charlie Curnow in action at Carlton training. Picture: Sarah Matray

The club’s No. 1 pick Sam Walsh, elevated rookie Michael Gibbons and ex-GWS recruit Will Setterfield are all expected to be named for a match featuring 24 players a side.

Ex-Sydney half back Nic Newman, also in the mix, has impressed the coaching panel with his strong leadership and excellent left-foot skills this year.

The Blues are intent on playing their best side against Alastair Clarkson’s team ahead of two JLT contests against Essendon and Collingwood then a March 21 season opener against Richmond.

Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd confirmed to the Herald Sun former Adelaide forward McGovern had fully recovered from a minor back injury he suffered before Christmas.

Bolton had initially hoped McGovern might be ready for JLT clashes but he has been able to tick off enough fitness sessions to take on the Hawks.

He will take his place in a Carlton forward line that will also include Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, with 204cm forward McKay enjoying his first uninterrupted pre-season.

Brendon Bolton wants McGovern to play a similar role to that of multiple premiership Hawk Jack Gunston. Picture: Michael Klein

Bolton says McGovern will play in a similar role as Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston — starting as a key forward but with the potential to be thrown behind the ball.

His powerful marking was showcased in the incident that saw him injure his back — taking a skyscraper mark late in match simulation with his team needing a goal to win but then falling heavily.

“I think primarily we will start him as a forward but the great thing about Mitch is when games are on the line he loves that, he embraces that,’’ Bolton said recently.

“He can get behind the ball when required, play up on the wing when required. Mr Fix-it, but starting as a forward.”

Ex-GWS recruit Will Setterfield has dropped 5-6kg after arriving at the club and is ready to play after easing through the early part of the pre-season.

Blues fans will get their first glimpse of exciting midfielder Sam Walsh, the 2018 national draft’s No.1 overall pick, after rave reviews from players and coaches over the pre-season.

Blues co-captain Sam Docherty is out for the year with an ACL reconstruction, with Harrison Macreadie, Caleb Marchbank (back), Darcy Lang (foot), Jarrod Pickett (knee), and Alex Fasolo (wrist) in the rehab group.

Sam Walsh will play his first serious footy in Carlton colours. Picture: AAP

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