Blues‘ big selection call down back as Jacob Weitering’s wait over corked thigh continues

Whether or not Jacob Weitering is fit, Michael Voss has a call to make down back, while it’s mixed news on the injury front as the Hawks. JON RALPH has the latest injury news.

Hawthorn expects to again lose star forward Mitch Lewis for its Launceston clash against Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

Carlton expects Jacob Weitering to play against the Western Bulldogs despite another corked leg as the club’s vulnerability without its star defender was laid bare on Saturday night.

Weitering was on and off the ground with his corked thigh, having succumbed to it for at least the fourth time in his career.

He was subbed out in the club’s 52-point loss in round 10 – their most recent defeat before the run of five victories entering Saturday’s clash.

In his absence, Brodie Kemp was dominated by five-goal Giants hero Jesse Hogan.

And while Blues coach Michael Voss sheeted home the blame to the club’s midfield for the lack of pressure, it is a concern approaching September.

jacob Weitering is expected to play next weekend. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

The Blues have chosen to play Kemp and interceptor Mitch McGovern ahead of second tall Caleb Marchbank given it provides a better balance when Weitering is fit.

Carlton still has strong selection pressure with Jesse Motlop kicking four goals in the VFL and Marc Pittonet winning 26 possessions (33 hit-outs), with Marchbank winning 11 possessions.

Carlton will have to hope McGovern can get through multiple finals without injury after losing him at times in a game where Tom De Koning also battled with an ankle injury.

He also played out the game but Kieren Briggs produced his best game for the season as de Koning lowered his colours.

“He was quite limited in his movement. There were a couple of things we were managing there for a little while. Not the right part of the game, unfortunately,” Voss said.

“They battled along and they’ll pull up okay. In the game itself, it was a bit difficult for them to manage, but they forged on.”

Carlton's Brodie Kemp and Giants Jesse Hogan battle in the air on Saturday night. Picture: Brett Costello.

Carlton took the foot off the pedal after their best first quarter of the season and Voss said much of the blame for the Giants’ forward-line dominance came from further up the field.

“We probably didn’t support enough. I felt like it’s not too often we look at a scoreboard where we conceded 100 points like that and when you’re getting that clean ball through, your defenders are left one-on-one and you can’t get the support,”

“We’ve been really good at being able to support one another and I felt like we let our defenders down a little bit, couldn’t get any delay on it and like every defence, that puts you under pressure.

“At the end of the day, we weren’t able to play our method for long enough. You don’t expect to have that big a time in a game where you can’t get your method going, where you can’t get your hands on the ball.”

HAWKS EXPECT TO LOSE BIG FORWARD

Hawthorn expects to again lose star forward Mitch Lewis for its Launceston clash against Fremantle next weekend, but could yet regain captain James Sicily from another shoulder dislocation.

Lewis was dazed and heavily winded after a last-term clash with Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij in the momentum-altering 51-point defeat to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

But while it initially looked as if he was concussed he was cleared of damage despite the cut to the back of his head.

Instead the Hawks are far more worried about his knee, which has seen him endure a hellish 18 months since a partial tear of his ACL early last year.

Hawthorn expects to again lose star forward Mitch Lewis for its Launceston clash against Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

He will have scans on Sunday but the Hawks believe he is very doubtful for the clash against a white-hot Fremantle, which knocked off Richmond on Saturday night.

Lewis has had continual issues with his cartilage in his knee and every time he tries to load up that joint he has had setbacks.

Finally after a pair of games in the VFL he played against the Cats but scans will show the damage this time.

Sicily was badly missed in the clash against Geelong after a second shoulder dislocation but the Hawks are hopeful he might make the Tasmania trip.

Given the marauding form of Dockers forward Josh Treacy, who monstered Richmond with a career-high five goals, the Hawks will need Sicily’s marking power.

James Sicily was badly missed in the clash against Geelong. Picture: Getty Images

At 8-8 the Hawks need to roar home — potentially with five wins in their last seven games — so cannot afford to protect him for a finals berth.

Small forward Jack Ginnivan has a hairline fracture in his fibula and while he hasn’t been ruled out against the Dockers he’s more likely the following week.

Coach Sam Mitchell was deliberately vague about Lewis post-match but while he did have a concussion test it was so late in the game he was ruled out from returning.

“(There was a) fair bit of blood and he was a bit battered after the game and a bit sore and sorry for himself. I haven’t spoken too much to the medical guys, I’m not sure what’s come out of the game just yet,” he said

“Hopefully it is not too bad, he was probably a bit too courageous in that incident.

“He had two ice bags on when I left the rooms just then. I thought it’s better to go in here a bit naive than have to tell you what I know, so I actually don’t know the answer. Time will tell.”

Originally published as Blues‘ big selection call down back as Jacob Weitering’s wait over corked thigh continues