CARLTON has made half a dozen changes for Thursday night’s clash with old enemy Collingwood.

Along with the forced exclusions of defenders Adam Saad (concussion) and Jack Silvagni (groin), the Blues have turned to a youthful core ahead of a blockbuster in front of another capacity crowd against the ladder leaders.

Rewarding strong VFL form of recent weeks, Francis Evans and Ashton Moir return in the front half after being the Carlton Reserves’ best two players last weekend in the win over Port Melbourne.

Evans’ best-on-ground performance yielded 24 disposals, 3.2 and eight tackles, while Moir’s four goals were telling to cap off a brilliant month of VFL football for the second-year Blue.

Joining Moir in the youthful stakes will be Matthew Carroll, Lachie Cowan and Harry O’Farrell, with the three young defenders all recalled to the AFL side.

Cowan has played the last two VFL games in his return from a hamstring injury, while Carroll and O’Farrell both return after making their AFL debuts earlier this season - it’ll be O’Farrell’s first AFL games since his debut against GWS prior to the bye.

Rounding out the inclusions is ruckman Marc Pittonet, giving the Blues an extra physical presence around the ball.

Alongside Saad and Silvagni, Jordan Boyd, Alex Cincotta, Billy Wilson and Lewis Young (all omitted) make way.

Friday night’s game will also mark Patrick Cripps’ 150th game as captain of the Carlton Football Club - third only behind Stephen Kernahan and John Nicholls for games played.