AFL 2024: Zac Williams shines again at Carlton training as Jack Silvagni watches on

The highly-anticipated return of a Carlton rebounder will put pressure on selection after he shone during match simulation on Tuesday, under the watchful eye of two injured Blues.

30/01/2023 Carlton training, Zac Williams. picture: Carlton Media

Comeback defender Zac Williams provided another reminder of what he can add to Carlton’s premiership push with a classy display during training on Tuesday.

The former Giant, who didn’t play at all in 2023 after rupturing his ACL, has stepped up to taking part in almost all of Carlton’s training and shone during a match simulation drill.

Williams was wearing a fluoro cap, meaning he was not to have any contact, but his ball use and positioning was precise while playing off half-back in a three-quarter field drill.

He consistently picked out tough targets with his kicking and should add another rebounding weapon for Michael Voss this year.

Zac Williams on the move. Picture: Carlton Media

The Blues will have plenty of options for half-back runners this year if they remain fit, with Adam Saad, Williams and Nic Newman.

Sam Docherty spent some time on ball in 2023 but has plenty of experience as a rebounder, while Alex Cincotta played 19 games in that role last year.

Forward David Cuningham was another to find plenty of it during the match-sim.

Draftee Billy Wilson has also impressed over summer with his speed and smarts and was active as he pushes to be in consideration for an early season debut.

A number of Blues took it easy on Tuesday, during a lighter session and coming off a four-day club break.

Jack Martin, Matt Owies and Sam Durdin took part in some light jogging and kicking as star midfielder Sam Walsh ran laps at good speed.

A handful of players were unsighted, including Marc Pittonet and Blake Acres but the Blues said a number of players were on modified programs before a bigger session on Thursday.

Jack Silvagni watches training. Picture: Carlton Media

WATCHING ON

Utility Jack Silvagni watched some of the session from a grandstand at Ikon Park with a bandage on his left knee, just under a week after he tore his ACL.

Silvagni was yet to have surgery on Tuesday as he stares at a lengthy rehab and will soon begin the road to playing in 2025.

Defender Jacob Weitering limped out on to the field to watch the back-half of the session after starting his morning in the gym.

Weitering had a noticeable gait on his right side after he suffered a high-grade calf tear earlier this month, putting him under pressure to be fit by Carlton’s preliminary final rematch against the Brisbane Lions in opening round.

Forward Harry McKay is always working on his goalkicking. Picture: Michael Klein

HARD WORK HARRY

In what is a familiar sight, Harry McKay was one of the last players off the track after another extensive goalkicking session on Tuesday.

One of the most talked about set shots in the game, McKay kicked 29 goals from 77 shots last year, a career-low accuracy of 37.7 per cent.

But those at the club believe nobody works harder on goalkicking than the full-forward and he spent plenty of time in front of the sticks on both drop punts and snaps.

His running mate, Charlie Curnow, was also one of the last off the track on Tuesday and specifically worked on left-foot snaps.

Curnow bagged 81 goals from 134 attempts (60.4 per cent) last year to win a second Coleman Medal, his best accuracy in a season where he has had more than 10 shots.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Zac Williams shines again at Carlton training as Jack Silvagni watches on