Carlton has dominated out a return for Jack Silvagni towards Melbourne on Friday evening regardless of the versatile tall passing a health take a look at this week.
Silvagni has recovered from a second knee joint sprain he sustained whereas returning by way of the VFL on the eve of the finals, however it’s understood he won’t be picked attributable to a scarcity of match preparation within the construct as much as the MCG blockbuster.
The choice determination may pave the best way for Matt Kennedy to play his first recreation since spherical 17, because the Blues ponder the right way to exchange Harry McKay (concussion) and Jack Martin (suspension) in a ahead line which carried out strongly towards Sydney.
Voss stated Kennedy was in a “good position” to return after enjoying a recreation final weekend, along with his peak and skill to play ahead compelling attributes because the Blues look to negate star Melbourne interceptors Steven May and Jake Lever.
“(Kennedy) has played a fair bit forward as well, and with his size there’s an advantage as well … he’s managed to get a fair bit of work under his belt particularly in the last month – not just from a training perspective, but (he was) lucky enough to get a game last week as well so that certainly puts him in a good position to come in,“ Voss said.
Voss said the Blues had taken a smaller forward line into games with success, but being armed with enough aerial threats to trouble Melbourne would be crucial to combat May and Lever.
“Clearly having an aerial presence is going to be pretty important, there’s obviously a couple of players down there (for Melbourne) who go well in the intercept game, and defend as well as any team in the competition.
Voss refuted suggestions that the elimination final triumph over Sydney, the first finals victory for the club since 2013, had sapped his side of the hunger to win ahead of another MCG blockbuster.
“We’re the only team in the last two or three years that hasn’t played in finals, and that hasn’t changed for us,” Voss stated.
“To be able to go into last week and see the excitement, joy and smiles on our fans and see the players and the reward they got from that, how can that not make you hungrier, how can that not make you want more of that?“
McKay ran and undertook some light ball handling drills at Ikon Park on Thursday morning, as Voss said he looked well placed to exit the concussion protocols on time next week.
“(McKay) is pretty good, he seems to have bounced OK … with the concussion protocols, there’s a few steps to roll through, but certainly with the initial ones he’s pretty good,” Voss stated.
“He’d love to be playing, clearly, but he’s out here having a run around which is a good sign.”
Voss stated there have been no health issues for captain Patrick Cripps regardless of the heavy protecting padding he wore towards the Swans following the rib damage which saved him out of spherical 24.
“Oh no, he’s 100 per cent fit, don’t worry about the pillow that’s under his jumper,” he stated.
“He’s fine, he’s ready to go, obviously there’s a precautionary measure there to ensure nothing repeats itself.”
Voss stated the Blues have been cautious of the affect Max Gawn may have on the competition, after he was properly contained by ruck duo Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning within the four-point win in spherical 22.
A rumoured damaged toe for the Demons skipper had no bearing on how his ruck duo would method the duty, he stated.
“I reckon we might need more than a toe to stop him … he’s an incredible player, a genuine star for them,” Voss stated.
“We understand walking in what he presents for us, and I don’t really particularly care what’s wrong with him, because I know what he can do and what threat he provides.”
Originally printed as Jack Silvagni received’t exchange Jack Martin towards Melbourne
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
