Sam Walsh will make his much-anticipated return to the Carlton side this Saturday, after being sidelined with a back injury since mid-February.
The match, which will also be his 100th at AFL level, will be his first since last year’s preliminary final loss to Brisbane – a game where he was arguably his side’s best on ground with 33 disposals and eight inside 50’s.
Walsh, who also missed the beginning of the 2023 season with a similar back injury, has been on a revised training program for a considerable amount of time since it flared up nearly two months ago.
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Speaking to SEN earlier in the week, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps noted to SEN that he “gave everyone a little touch-up at training,” last week.
The Blues held their cards close to their chest for the vast majority of Walsh’s time on the sidelines, giving infrequent updates with vague timelines on the star’s impending return.
Walsh has not played at any level this season, and looks set to be a massive inclusion for Carlton’s midfield; who have lost to all four opposition teams in the clearance battle so far this season.
Jack Macrae has played the past two games after missing the opening three rounds due to an interrupted pre-season and Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said Macrae would play against Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
But his ongoing place will be determined by “demand and supply” like Caleb Daniel.
“That’s as far as performance goes and who is playing critical roles,” he said.
“Like Caleb, Jack will have a significant influence at some stage, and it could be this week.”
Meanwhile Melbourne will hand a debut to their second 2023 first-round pick, Koltyn Tholstrup, in Thursday night’s blockbuster against Brisbane.
The West Aussie takes the place of suspended small forward Kozzie Pickett, after impressing through the draft process as one of the biggest characters, eventually taken with the No.13 selection.
He joins Caleb Windsor, who has quickly become a feature of the Demons’ best 23, as 2023 draftees to debut for the club.
The Lions have named an unchanged side, meaning Zac Bailey holds his place despite concerns around an ankle injury suffered in last week’s win over North Melbourne.
The rest of the Round 5 teams will be announced at 6:20pm AEST on Thursday.
ROUND 5 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
MELBOURNE v BRISBANE LIONS
Thursday April 11, 7:30pm at the MCG
DEMONS
B: T.Rivers, S.May, T.McDonald
HB: B.Howes, J.Lever, J.McVee
C: E.Langdon, C.Petracca, A.Neal-Bullen
HF: J.Billings, H.Petty, K.Tholstrup
F: J.van Rooyen, B.Fritsch, T.Sparrow
FOLL: M.Gawn – C, J.Viney, C.Oliver
I/C: C.Salem, C.Windsor, K.Chandler, T.Woewodin, B.Brown
EMG: B.Laurie, J.Schache, A.Tomlinson
IN: K.Tholstup
OUT: K.Pickett (suspended)
LIONS
B: B.Starcevich, J.Payne, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews – C, D.Gardiner
C: J.Fletcher, Z.Bailey, J.Berry
HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, H.McCluggage
F: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, D.Zorko
FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale
I/C: K.Lohmann, C.Ah Chee, L.McCarthy, J.Tunstill, N.Answerth
EMG: L.Morris, J.Lyons, D.Fort
No changes
WESTERN BULLDOGS v ESSENDON
Friday April 12, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
BOMBERS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
GWS GIANTS v ST KILDA
Saturday April 13, 1:45pm at Manuka Oval
GIANTS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
SAINTS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
CARLTON v ADELAIDE CROWS
Saturday April 13, 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium
BLUES
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
CROWS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
GOLD COAST SUNS v HAWTHORN
Saturday April 13, 7:30pm at People First Stadium
SUNS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
HAWKS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
PORT ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE
Saturday April 13, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
DOCKERS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
GEELONG v NORTH MELBOURNE
Sunday April 14, 1pm at GMHBA Stadium
CATS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
KANGAROOS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
WEST COAST EAGLES v RICHMOND
Sunday April 14, 4pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
TIGERS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
Byes: Collingwood, Sydney Swans
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