Marc Pittonet out two weeks with broken hand, Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra available
As the injury woes get worse at Carlton, the Blues have been given a boost, as two of their best midfielders set to be available for their clash against Melbourne.
Carlton’s unsigned ruck-forward Tom De Koning has the chance to seize the No. 1 ruck mantle with Marc Pittonet headlining six forced changes for the Blues against Melbourne.
As revealed by the Herald Sun on Monday, Pittonet has broken his hand and will miss the next two weeks.
In another unwelcome development, small forward Corey Durdin has had surgery on a lateral ligament in his knee and will be sidelined for the next six to seven weeks.
The Blues will be able to call upon their brilliant Brownlow Medal winning captain Patrick Cripps, who will be available despite having his ankle stepped on by Luke Parker in the club’s loss to Sydney.
Carlton became the first club to have a dangerous tackle suspension overturned at the tribunal this season, ensuring Adam Cerra is free to face Melbourne on Friday night.
The tribunal on Tuesday night threw out the Blues midfielder’s one-game rough conduct ban for his tackle on Sydney ruckman Tom Hickey last week.
Carlton successfully argued that Cerra did not pin Hickey’s arms and had only a light grip on the Swan when he came to the ground.
Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson KC said Hickey could have used one or both his arms to break his fall.
The AFL’s counsel, Lisa Hannon KC, said Cerra made a rotating motion that was excessive in the circumstances and it was almost inevitable that high contact would occur with some force.
Clubs had been 0-17 this season before the tribunal sided with the Blues.
Pittonet, Hollands and Durdin will be joined on the sidelines by Nic Newman (hamstring) and George Hewett (concussion).
Pittonet has had little impact around the ground but has been exceptional in the centre square as the No. 1 hitouts-to-advantage player in the competition.
De Koning has strong interest from St Kilda, Geelong and Sydney and is keen to establish himself as a Blues regular before considering whether to remain at Ikon Park.
The Blues are yet to offer him a new deal given the uncertainty, with St Kilda strongly pursuing him to play as a second forward and back-up ruckman to Rohan Marshall.
Carlton will consider Zac Fisher (39 possessions), Paddy Dow (13 clearances), the uncapped Jaxon Binns (31 possessions), and Jack Silvagni to return to the senior side.
Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd said on Friday night the Blues were aware of Dow’s excellent VFL form but hadn’t been able to find an inside midfielder role for him in the senior side.
“It’s been a hard one. We have got some similar inside mids. So he’s been in the mix with those guys selected before him. Match committee hasn’t wanted to put another one of that type in. He is playing well in the VFL and he has done that for a year and a half or longer. He hasn’t quite got past those guys,” he said.
Lachie Cowan (finger) will need to get through training to be available at some level, with Jack Martin a test to play VFL off recurring calf issues.
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