A CLUB debutant and a return amongst the 23. 

Carlton has named its team for Opening Round when it gets its 2024 home-and-away season underway at the Gabba. 

Returning to the scene of last year’s preliminary final, a pair of Blues who weren’t there that night will get their long-awaited chance. 

It was confirmed earlier this week that Zac Williams would play his first game in 18 months following his recovery from an ACL injury, and he’ll be joined in the starting lineup by recruit Orazio Fantasia. 

In what will also be Fantasia’s 100th AFL game, the former Essendon and Port Adelaide goalsneak will start in attack after an impressive first pre-season at IKON Park as he becomes Carlton player No.1237.

Matthew Kennedy and Matt Owies - who will play game No.50 in Navy Blue - have also been named after overcoming injury niggles in the summer, while Jack Carroll has also been named on the back of a strong pre-season training with the midfield group. 

Tom De Koning has been named as the sole ruckman, with Harry McKay likely to provide relief at centre bounces as he showcased in his pair of practice matches.  

One of Jordan Boyd, Carroll, Matthew Cottrell, Lachie Fogarty or Ollie Hollands will be named as sub an hour before the bounce, having been included on the five-man interchange bench. 

Jaxon Binns, Alex Cincotta and Marc Pittonet have been named as emergencies.  

New: Orazio Fantasia