Nic Newman is in the mix to play his first game for the season for Carlton. The Blues will be without defender Harry Dean due to concussion.
Carlton coach Michael Voss said: “(Wade) Derksen‘s obviously done really well, Newman’s had some great form, (Jordan) Boyd has also been in great form.
“Obviously ‘Newy’ only really played his first full game in a few weeks so he comes under consideration. A couple of guys there that can come in and fill that role if need be.”
North will be without for Tristan Xerri for three weeks and Kangas coach Alastair Clarkson may use that as a chance to blood young ruckman Taylor Goad.
Clarkson said: “We’ll work that out over the next 24 hours, we’ve got some options. Big Taylor Goad is back available to play. It would probably be a big stretch to play him but we’ve got that option because you’ve got five on the interchange now, so that gives us a little bit of flexibility.
“Is it too premature to play him this week? There’s a part of me that says yes but there’s another part of me that says well, you are 207cm and we’re without a ruck this week. His opportunity is going to come sooner or later whether it’s this week or not.
“We’ll compete as hard as we can in there. It’s going to be a pretty pivotal part of the game because that’s Carlton’s real strength – their contested ball. But we’ve got other guys who can fill those roles. Darling didn’t play last week but he’s an option for us to come in and do a bit of heavy lifting in that space.”
Richmond could be ready to hand a debut to last year’s No.31 pick Zane Peucker after some good VFL form. Tigers coach Adem Yze said: “He’s in really good form, he’s in really good VFL form so he’s knocking on the door, whether he’s breaking the door down just yet.
“That’s the silver lining that might come out of the injury crisis that we’re going through right now. He’s throwing his hand up each week, whether we go down that path or whether it’s this week or in the future, but some of our younger players that are playing well in the VFL will get an opportunity.”
Melbourne coach Steven King has revealed Trent Rivers could return this week, needed a “reset” and a chance to get this body right after being omitted last round.
King said: “For him it’s just a reset, get his body right. He’s been carrying a couple of little grumbles that I think the week off would have benefited him really well. If he trains strongly this week he’ll be up for consideration.
“But it was quite frustrating having no VFL game in round two for us. We weren’t participating in Opening Round so it was a bit of a head scratcher, but they’re the cards we got dealt. It is frustrating for the guys on the edges that are trying to press for selection that’s for sure.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan confirmed Hugh McCluggage will miss with injury again.
He said: “He won’t play this week. He’s a chance for next week, but not this week. It’s too soon, five days after we played.”
