And so after grinding out a victory over the Western Bulldogs last Saturday night the Match Committee has made four changes to the side to take on Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.
Matthew Kreuzer and Zac Tuohy who both missed last week’s match due to injury have proven their fitness, Kreuzer overcoming a hip injury that kept him out for one match and Tuohy returns after missing two matches with a strained back. Tuohy being a late withdrawal from the North Melbourne game in round 16.
Also returning to the side after missing last week’s match with hamstring tightness is Kane Lucas. Lucas was the late replacement for Tuohy in round 16, starting the game as the substitute before being subbed into the match early in the first quarter for the injured Andrew Walker.
The fourth inclusion is Marcus Davies, selected for his first game of the 2012 season after missing the first 14 rounds with a shoulder injury. Davies has played the last three games for the Northern Blues in the VFL. Saturday night will be his 14 AFL game, including three finals.
Unfortunately Mitch Robinson, who was a late withdrawal for the game against the Bulldogs last Saturday night, has not overcome his calf injury and will once again miss.
Jordan Russell, Paul Bower, Nick Duigan and Matthew Watson have all been omitted from the team and will play for the Northern Blues against Coburg at Preston City Oval on Sunday at 2:00pm. Also lining up for the Blues on Sunday will be Rob Warnock who returns after serving his one match VFL suspension that made him unavailable for two AFL matches.
Carlton's Round 18 line-up:
B: Z.Tuohy M.Jamison A.Joseph
HB: C.Yarran B.Thornton H.Scotland
C: K.Lucas A.Carrazzo B.Gibbs
HF: A.Collins A.McInnes F.Dale
F: J.Garlett L.Casboult E.Betts
Foll: M.Kreuzer M.Murphy B.McLean
INT: T.Bell, E.Curnow, D.Armfield & M.Davies
EMG: N.Duigan, J.Russell & D.Ellard
IN: K.Lucas, Z.Tuohy, M.Davies & M.Kreuzer
OUT: J.Russell, M.Watson, P.Bower & N.Duigan
