Carlton has been pressured to make an eleventh hour crew change after Mitch McGovern was scratched moments earlier than the primary bounce in a dramatic begin to the AFL’s inaugural Gather Round.
The Blues confirmed simply 5 minutes earlier than match began that their vital defender had suffered a calf harm within the warm-up.
The late announcement left footy commentators elevating their eyebrows.
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It was first reported by Channel 7’s Tom Browne that McGovern was winded through the warm-ups, nevertheless the membership introduced a number of minutes later McGovern had skilled calf tightness and a choice was made to sit down him out.
Lachie Plowman was introduced into the aspect to play his first recreation of the season.
“That’s a big blow for the Blues,” Fox Footy’s Joey Montagna mentioned earlier than the sport.
Hawthorn icon Jason Dunstall was significantly shocked by how late the decision was made.
“Wow. That is a late out,” he mentioned on Fox Footy.
It isn’t what Carlton followers wished to listen to because the membership continues its sizzling begin to the 12 months, staying undefeated after 4 rounds for the primary time since 1995.
The drama continues as quickly because the ball was bounced with Crows gun Izac Rankine kicking a spectacular snap objective from a decent angle to kick the primary objective of the sport — after a turbulent week the place he was racially abused on social media following the Crows’ win over Fremantle.
The Crows had 4 targets within the first six minutes as Gather Round started with a bang.
Source: www.news.com.au