Carlton coach Michael Voss is glad the under-fire MCG taking part in floor is secure, regardless of Sam Docherty revealing his fears concerning the turf earlier than final week’s season opener.
The Blues tackle Geelong on the residence of soccer on Thursday evening, with rumblings persevering with across the state of the bottom.
The commentary follows Cats coach Chris Scott’s assertion that venue operator the MCC scored an “own goal” with its administration of the bottom.
Geelong’s All-Australian defender Tom Stewart sustained a knee harm when he slipped on the floor final week and can miss the Carlton conflict.
Docherty, who missed the 2018 and 2019 seasons due to ACL ruptures, stated he was “extremely nervous” about taking part in on the MCG in spherical one.
The skilled defender’s anxiousness stemmed from his pre-match inspection of the taking part in floor, about half of which was relaid this month following two Ed Sheeran concert events.
“When the question’s asked we have to then go back and do our own due diligence and just make sure that it’s right to go, but we felt like it was pretty sound when we played last week,” Voss advised reporters on Wednesday.
“We follow it up and we’re happy with the state of the ground and the reports that we’re getting back, so it’s ‘play on’ as far as we’re concerned.”
Docherty advised 3AW final Saturday he wasn’t shocked there have been accidents on the MCG in spherical one, given the distinction between the “hard” new turf and “soft” previous grass.
“They’re all conversations that we put in the mix,” Voss stated.
“If we’ve got players that have expressed some concern around that, there’s obviously some individual conversation but then we need to follow it up.
“He (Docherty) is proud of the state of it and the place we have to go subsequent with it.
“What we need to do now is just focus on the game that we’ve got in front of us.
“There’s no higher place than the MCG on the planet, so we’re wanting ahead to the competition.”
Carlton are weighing up whether to recall mature ruckman Marc Pittonet to partner Tom De Koning, who was outpointed by Richmond’s Toby Nankervis in round one.
Voss said Pittonet was not considered ready to play against the Tigers, despite being named as an emergency, but is available this week after getting another reserves practice match under his belt.
Blues midfielder George Hewett is in doubt with a hand injury.
“He did pull up sore … so we’ll take a look at that out later at this time,” Voss stated.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
