Lachie Fogarty suspended for high hit as Blues set for huge midfield boost

Carlton’s Lachie Fogarty is set for a week on the sidelines, but the Blues have a more than handy replacement waiting in the wings, with superstar Sam Walsh in the frame to return.

Lachie Fogarty and Ethan Hughes compete for in the air during Gather Round. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Carlton superstar midfielder Sam Walsh is set to play his first game of the season against Adelaide if he can complete main training this week in a massive boost to the undefeated Blues.

Walsh trained impressively across the weekend and is in line to replace small forward Lachie Fogarty who on Sunday received a one-match suspension for his high hit on Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe.

Fogarty collected Fyfe with a right arm to the head in an attempt to spoil Fyfe in Carlton’s thrilling win over the Dockers on Saturday in the west and was hit with a one-match suspension.

The incident was graded careless conduct, high contact and medium impact as Fyfe took time getting to his feet after copping the contact to his head.

Extra broadcast vision was central to match review officer Michael Christian’s verdict and the angle which showed Fogarty take his eyes off the ball as he collided with Fyfe. Fremantle players immediately remonstrated with Fogarty.

Lachie Fogarty and Ethan Hughes compete for in the air during Gather Round. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

But there is a major silver lining in the works this week as Walsh pushes to play his first game of the season after reporting soreness in his back following back surgery on a problematic disc.

The Blues have been cautious with Walsh in a bid to help him overcome the pain and restriction which hindered him through the preseason, but have ramped up his training in recent weeks.

The best and fairest winner and All-Australian midfielder is a huge boost for coach Michael Voss as the club prepares to confront a winless Adelaide, GWS Giants, Geelong, Collingwood and Melbourne.

Defender Caleb Marchbank will also come into consideration pending his recovery from concussion.

It is a testing month for the Blues who have firmed to a $7 third favourite for the premiership.

Voss said Walsh was on track to take on the Crows at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

“He has tracked really well and (I) found out that he has trained really well over the weekend, so if he gets through training he will play next week,” Voss said.

But the coach will be disappointed with the verdict on Fogarty, considering the coach said he thought Fogarty was fairly contesting the Sherrin on Saturday.

“I thought it was a great contest from two guys keeping their eyes on the footy,” Voss said.

“I think that is what the pure thing about AFL is, and Fyfe went back with the flight of the ball and ‘Fog’ came across and tried to spoil it, with eyes on the ball the whole way.”

Originally published as Lachie Fogarty suspended for high hit as Blues set for huge midfield boost