AFL finals 2023: Michael Voss on Jack Silvagni and Carlton’s team for semi final

Harry McKay and Jack Martin are out, but the Blues won’t recall Jack Silvagni, despite the versatile tall passing a fitness test. Here’s why.

Carlton has ruled out a return for Jack Silvagni against Melbourne on Friday night despite the versatile tall passing a fitness test this week.

Silvagni has recovered from a second knee joint sprain he sustained while returning through the VFL on the eve of the finals, but has not been picked due to a lack of match preparation in the build up to the MCG blockbuster.

Matt Kennedy will play his first game since round 17, as the Blues replace Harry McKay (concussion) and Jack Martin (suspension) in a forward line which performed strongly against Sydney.

Carlton coach Michael Voss said Kennedy was in a “good position” to return after playing a game last weekend, with his height and ability to play forward compelling attributes as the Blues look to negate star Melbourne interceptors Steven May and Jake Lever.

Jack Silvagni won’t play against Melbourne on Friday night. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“(Kennedy) has played a fair bit forward as well, and with his size there’s an advantage as well … he’s managed to get a fair bit of work under his belt particularly in the last month – not just from a training perspective, but (he was) lucky enough to get a game last week as well so that certainly puts him in a good position to come in,“ Voss said.

The Blues coach said his side had taken a smaller forward line into games with success, but being armed with enough aerial threats to trouble Melbourne would be crucial to combat May and Lever.

“Clearly having an aerial presence is going to be pretty important, there’s obviously a couple of players down there (for Melbourne) who go well in the intercept game, and defend as well as any team in the competition,” he said.

Voss refuted suggestions the elimination final triumph over Sydney, the first finals victory for the club since 2013, had sapped his side of the hunger to win ahead of another MCG blockbuster.

“We’re the only team in the last two or three years that hasn’t played in finals, and that hasn’t changed for us,” Voss said.

“To be able to go into last week and see the excitement, joy and smiles on our fans and see the players and the reward they got from that, how can that not make you hungrier, how can that not make you want more of that?“

McKay ran and undertook some light ball handling drills at Ikon Park on Thursday morning, as Voss said he looked well placed to exit the concussion protocols on time next week.

“(McKay) is pretty good, he seems to have bounced OK … with the concussion protocols, there’s a few steps to roll through, but certainly with the initial ones he’s pretty good,” Voss said.

“He’d love to be playing, clearly, but he’s out here having a run around which is a good sign.”

Michael Voss spoke to the media on Thursday morning. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Voss said there were no fitness concerns for captain Patrick Cripps despite the heavy protective padding he wore against the Swans following the rib injury which kept him out of round 24.

“Oh no, he’s 100 per cent fit, don’t worry about the pillow that’s under his jumper,” he said.

“He’s fine, he’s ready to go, obviously there’s a precautionary measure there to ensure nothing repeats itself.”

The Blues are wary of the influence Max Gawn could have on the contest, after he was well contained by ruck duo Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning in the four-point win in round 22.

A rumoured broken toe for the Demons skipper had no bearing on how his ruck duo would approach the task.

“I reckon we might need more than a toe to stop him … he’s an incredible player, a genuine star for them,” Voss said.

“We understand walking in what he presents for us, and I don’t really particularly care what’s wrong with him, because I know what he can do and what threat he provides.”

Originally published as AFL finals 2023: Michael Voss on Jack Silvagni and Carlton’s team for semi final