DEFENDER Jordan Boyd will play his first game since June 2022 in today’s Round 5 VFL clash with Sandringham. 

After two foot fractures, Boyd will return to action for the Carlton Reserves this afternoon, bringing his ball use and dash off the half-back line.

It’s a welcome addition to the Blues’ defensive stocks, with Boyd enjoying a breakthrough 2022 campaign that saw him make his debut and play seven senior games prior to injury.

Boyd is one of three inclusions for the Carlton Reserves, who are looking to make it three wins from as many games when they host Sandringham at IKON Park today.

Lachie Plowman will slot in alongside Boyd in the defensive half, while the VFL-listed Darcy Porter will make his debut: Jack Lefroy, Michael Lewis and Archie Stevens also return to the fold.

Despite being named in the VFL squad on Friday, Tom De Koning - who has been managed - won’t play at any level this weekend, while Brodie Kemp and Lochie O’Brien come out of the side which beat Richmond last week due to AFL emergency commitments. 

Harry Lemmey and Alex Mirkov will also miss the game.

The game will be live-streamed on the AFL website from 11:05am.