Carlton coach Michael Voss has made the tough decision of ruling out two-time Coleman medal winner Charlie Curnow for the second consecutive week.
Curnow has been battling a persistent ankle injury that reared its ugly head in the routing against Hawthorn in Round 22.
The spearhead forward was rested for the trip west against the Eagles, with the hope he'd return for the last home and away clash of the year.
Michael Voss confirms Charlie Curnow wonโt play this week. Confident heโll be available for a first final if they make it. @FOXFOOTY
— David Zita (@DavidZita1) August 23, 2024
However, with finals on the line, Voss has opted not to risk the 27-year-old for the Blues Sunday game against St Kilda.
"Start with the bad news: Charlie won't play," Voss said.
"We thought he might be able to pull it pretty well from some of the things he did the other day but hasn't pulled up well.
"It gives us an opportunity to lock in what our forward mix will be."
Carlton will need to win to lock away a spot in the finals or fear being replaced by Fremantle, who face Port Adelaide in the last fixture of the weekend.
The Blues coach thinks that if the club were to make it to September, Curnow would be right to go, especially given the extra week with the pre-finals bye.
"We think so," Voss said confidently.
"It's something that he's had to manage for a little while... but I feel pretty confident that he'll be fit and available."
In better news, Voss confirmed running defender Adam Saad will return to the senior side while Mitch McGovern was training away from the main group in a bid to play in Round 24, with the club giving โevery opportunityโ to prove his fitness.
With so much at stake on Sunday's clash at Marvel Stadium, Voss refused to look past this weekend but noted that a familiar face could still have an impact in season 2024.
Reports have suggested that Sam Docherty has a chance to return from his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in Opening Round this year.
โHe's progressing really well, he's joining in the main training. You'll probably see him running around out there again today,โ Voss said.
โHe knocks on my door every single day, and I tell him to go away until next week, and we'll see where he goes from there.
โI've said โ, mate when the knock on the door comes, and you say you're ready, we'll look at it then' โฆ I'd love to be able to give him that opportunity if he's ready because it means we'll be playing finals footy.โ
SEE MORE: Round 24 Team Line-ups
Carlton will be without Curnow and McKay for the second week running and will rely on makeshift forward Brodie Kemp, who kicked four goals last week.
The Blues will announce their final teams at 5 pm (AEST) on Friday.
