Carlton track watch: Zac Williams on track for full training, mids’ clash sets hearts racing

Carlton has hit the track for its final hit-out before the Christmas break, with two mids causing a mild panic when heading to the bench, while a returning defender is like a ‘new recruit’.

Charlie Curnow with fans at Carlton Football training at Ikon Park. Saturday, December 16, 2023. Picture: David Crosling

Rebounding Carlton half-back Zac Williams is edging closer to full training early next year with assistant coach Tim Clarke predicting he could be like a “new recruit” for Blues in 2024.

On a day when the Blues closed out 2023 with a physically taxing three-hour open session before almost three thousand vocal fans, Williams took some extra steps in his quest to return from a serious knee injury.

The 29-year-old suffered an ACL on the last day of the Blues’ Queensland training camp in February and was forced to watch the club’s thrilling ride throughout the season from the sidelines.

But he showed on Saturday morning that he is getting closer to full contact training, doing a lot of twisting and turning in the drills, and also a power of running.

Clarke said Williams had made a strong return to preseason training and would add experience and drive to the Blues’ defence next season.

“Zac has been going really well with his rehab, he has put a lot of work in and our high performance guys have been working really closely with Zac,” Clarke said.

“We are expecting early in the New Year (for Williams) to be ready to go. He is really excited. He will be like a new recruit for us this year.

“He is a competitor. He just wants to get out there and train with the boys. He helps educate the younger boys. We can’t wait to have him back out there next year.”

Williams should be back in full training by mid February, and his run and use of the ball will add an extra dimension to the Blues’ defensive unit.

Blake Acres had a shoulder clean-up in the off-season and is still on non-contact duties, but that should change when the club returns in January.

Sam Docherty is recovering well from minor foot surgery and will up his contact work when the Blues return to training in three weeks. Corey Durdin (shoulder) will be the same.

A few senior Blues were on light duties on Saturday including Adam Saad, Jacob Weitering and Marc Pittonet, while Mitch McGovern is still in concussion protocols.

“The plan is to give our guys the best chance to be ready for the start of the year, that means some of them are managed in the lead-up to Christmas,” Clarke said.

“We are expecting most of our players to be ready when we come back in January.“

Jack Silvagni is winded after receiving a knock during a drill. at Carlton Football training at Ikon Park. Picture: David Crosling

CRIPPA, WALSH OK AFTER MINOR SCARES

Carlton’s two best midfielders gave Blues fans a minor heart flutter after heading to the interchange bench during a gruelling training and match simulation session.

Thankfully, the scares amounted to nothing, with Clarke saying Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh were fine, which was a big relief to the Carlton supporters in attendance.

Cripps had plenty of attention on his knee early in the session, with trainers applying plenty of tape to it.

Then he landed awkwardly, which brought an end to his morning earlier than intended as a precaution, watching the rest of the match simulation from the bench.

“He (Cripps) just landed awkwardly at the end of a contest there at training, (but) he is fine,” Clarke said. “He might have used it to get out of the running, knowing Crippa. He is fine.”

Walsh and his good mate Matthew Cottrell crashed into each other during a contest, leaving them both on the ground for a short period, to the hush of the crowd.

It left Walsh sore and rubbing his head as he headed to the bench for assessment. But the Blues passed him fit to return and fans were happy to see him launch back into action.

The Blues have been impressed by the work of Irish international rookie Rob Monahan since arriving at the club.

He looks like an athletic type with solid ball skills, but also attacks the contest with purpose as evidenced by a collision he had with Brodie Kemp during match simulation.

Charlie Curnow with fans at Carlton Football training at Ikon Park. Picture: David Crosling

CHARLIE, KING OF THE KIDS

Charlie Curnow might have been wearing Acres’ No. 30 jumper on Saturday but Blues fans gave the back-to-back Coleman Medal winner the biggest roar of the session when he combined with Cripps and Harry McKay in one memorable passage.

Curnow was also a part of another big roar when he introduced a young Blues fan Caden to the playing group in the early stages of training.

Caden, who has been battling health issues, met Charlie at a Blues’ signing session some time ago and the Carlton forward rang the 12-year-old to ask him to attend the last training session of the year.

The entire Blues playing group gave Caden a big cheer as he and his family came out in the middle of IKON Park in a very special moment.

Carlton players hit the track on Saturday for an open training session. Picture: David Crosling

RAZZLE DAZZLE

Former Essendon teammates Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia have not only reunited at IKON Park, they spent a fair slice of Saturday morning running laps alongside each other.

Fantasia is hoping to resurrect his AFL career after injury interruptions restricted him to only four games in the past two seasons, with Port Adelaide.

But Clarke is confident the delisted free agent can make a big impression on and off the field with the Blues, despite being eased into his preseason.

“(He’s had) a little bit of a slower build-up so far, but he has been terrific for our group with his leadership, his ability to lead the forwards and help our younger players,” Clarke said.

“We have really noticed the impact he has had.”

Former Sun Elijah Hollands has settled in well with the Blues, joining his brother Ollie, as have national draft selections Ashton Moir and Billy Wilson.

“Ollie loves having his brother here,” Clarke said. “He (Elijah) has fitted in really with our midfield and forwards group. He is going to provide us with plenty of run with his ball use and we are rapt to have him part of the group.”