Carlton has made one change to its team that will take on Richmond in Round 1.
After returning to action in the VFL practice match last weekend, Corey Durdin has been named on the five-man bench for the clash with the Tigers.
Durdin kicked a goal in his return game for the Carlton Reserves, and will add to the Blues’ dynamic forward mix which was at its efficient best in the second half of last week’s comeback win over Brisbane.
Named on the five-man interchange, Durdin is joined Jordan Boyd, Jack Carroll, Lachie Fogarty and Matthew Kennedy, with Jaxon Binns, Ashton Moir and Marc Pittonet the emergencies.
The sub will be announced an hour before the bounce.
The only exclusion from the side is Sam Docherty, with it announced earlier in the week that the beloved Blue injured his ACL in the one-point win over Brisbane.
In his absence, Carlton’s midfield will have a key role in determining the side’s fate, with the engine room of Patrick Cripps, George Hewett and Adam Cerra all playing crucial roles last weekend.
While both the Blues and Tigers’ Opening Round games were dictated by swings in momentum, the two sides won’t need to be reminded of the dour struggle the last time they met, which ended in a draw in front of over 88,000 people.
Another capacity crowd is expected on Thursday night when footy returns home to the MCG.
