Carlton coach Michael Voss has declared players who are performing well in the VFL will be rewarded at the selection table.
Ahead of Sunday's clash with North Melbourne, Voss has included familiar names in the 26-man squad, with George Hewett and Jesse Motlop deserving of a recall.
However, given Brodie Kemp has been omitted from the side that's conceded 100 points or more in the past fortnight, the Blues mentor is still looking for his best defensive mix.
Former North Melbourne defender and 2022 Mid-Season Draft selection has been considered for his second game in the Navy Blue following impressive form in the reserves.
โWhy (Durdin) is considered is because he's in really good form, and obviously we've got a couple of boys in a similar boat,โ Voss said on Friday.
โJesse Motlop's been able to go back (to the VFL) and he's got now four or five weeks of football under him.
โI feel like he's been steadily building his form over the past month, so he's certainly earned the right to get back into this team.โ
Voss didn't deny the potential of Durdin coming into the side to assist with freeing up Jacob Weitering but needed to prove his fitness at Friday's main training session.
The same goes for Hewett, who responded to his most recent axing with 34 disposals, 12 tackles and a goal in the VFL last weekend.
"The other big one for us was George Hewett and his form," Voss added.
"He's been in great form throughout periods of this year, he went back and played very, very well in the VFL last week. We know he comes back into the team to strengthen up that midfield area for us.
"We like to always balance out and give reward to players that are playing good footy in the VFL, but we've got to balance that with the player that's in there at that particular time and the role that's available."
Voss didn't mince his words on Friday following back-to-back losses against fellow contenders Western Bulldogs and GWS when it came to the club's defence.
Carlton ranks 15th (1479) for points against, sitting above only West Coast, Richmond and North Melbourne for scores conceded.
"Most people have been talking about our defence, and we'd agree. It hasn't been up to scratch with where we'd like it over the last two weeks," Voss admitted.
"We feel a lot of our own game is going okay, but we've got a couple of things we've got to chase and continue to refine.
"We've lowered our guard, and teams have been able to score a bit too easily."
The Blues still sit second on the ladder but only by percentage (to Geelong), whilst clubs ranked all the way to 9th (Port Adelaide) sit within four premiership points.
Final teams for Sunday's games come out Friday at 5 pm AEST.
