Marc Pittonet of the Blues competes for the ball against Brodie Grundy of the Swans in 2024.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
With star Tom De Koning out injured, Carlton coach Michael Voss is backing forgotten man Marc Pittonet to make his case in the No.1 ruck role against Sydney.
De Koning is sidelined for Friday nightโs clash at the SCG after suffering a knock to his larynx during their last-start 15-point win over St Kilda.
Blues coach Michael Voss is confident the in-demand talent will only miss the first of their two Sir Doug Nicholls fixtures.
โHe came out (against St Kilda) with the husky voice and we sort of thought that itโd just be a knock to the throat and be OK,โ Voss said on Thursday.
โBy the time we got into yesterday, it was still hanging around.
โIt just warranted a little bit more investigation and sort of felt like we just needed that to settle for another week before he becomes available next week.โ
De Koningโs injury opens the door for Pittonet to play his first AFL game of the season, slated for a match-up against Sydney ruck Brodie Grundy.
Voss has also called on defenders Jordan Boyd and Matthew Carroll to replace Lachie Fogarty (hamstring) and Blake Acres (shoulder).
Joel Amartey booted two goals, one of which was the match-winner, against Fremantle.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Sydney have recalled back-up ruck Peter Ladhams as they welcome back key forward Joel Amartey from a hamstring injury.
Ben Paton and Hayden McLean make way for the pair, with Swans captain Callum Mills to make his return from a foot injury via the VFL.
โPittoโs been in some really great form himself. The best he could possibly do is just state his case through form,โ Voss said.
โHeโs been able to do that and played some really strong VFL football, so quite familiar with what he can do, but itโll be a pretty important tussle in the middle of the ground with Brodie Grundy.โ
Carlton, sitting 10th (4-5), are out to end their SCG hoodoo off the back of their hard-earned win over the Saints.
The Blues havenโt defeated Sydney at their home venue since 2019 and have lost nine of their past 10 SCG matches.
An injury-ravaged Swans outfit are also struggling to find form, licking their wounds after an eight-point loss to Essendon condemned them to a 3-6 record.
โWe havenโt had a great recent record here, so we have to amend that,โ Voss said.
โWeโve got an opposition thatโs a pretty good opposition.
โTheyโve got plenty of weapons that if they have their own way, itโll be a tough game.โ
AAP
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