AFL live: Blues and Cats brace for heated MCG clash with plenty on the line

It’s a switch that could change the look of the Blues’ forward line if Marc Pittonet or Tom De Koning end up resting forward at all. But some support for TDK in the ruck can only be a good thing.

It was a point of contention last week, and Carlton’s Sam Docherty was perhaps the most vocal in his criticism of the relayed MCG turf in round one.

In his press conference yesterday, Michael Voss said Docherty is now “happy” with the deck.

“It’s ‘play on’ as far as we’re concerned,” Voss said.

One battle in particular has Chris Scott intrigued:

“Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow are probably the best two young key forwards ion the comp, and we’re hoping Sam De Koning and Esava Ratugolea can be two of the best key backs.

“Hopefully they’ve got 10 years of battles to come.”

The Cats coach is speaking to Fox Footy:

“The players are really excited. Jack Bowes will play a few positions, down back and in midfield, and Cooper White will start as the sub but then play down back.”

The Blues drew with Richmond on opening night last week, but the numbers suggested they were a bit off. Voss seems to agree:

“We just didn’t get the game we wanted last week, we wanted to challenge more with ball movement. We largely put it down to winning a few more contests to give us a chance to do so.”

The Carlton coach tells Fox Footy Jack Martin “just pulled up a little tight from training”. He was a late out with a calf problem.

Voss also says George Hewett has “a little crack in his hand”, but he expects he will be back in the 22 next week.

Teams have dropped across the league, and there are some pretty sizable names set to return to action in round two (and a few who are sitting out). The headliners are:

• INS: Steven May, Bayley Fritsch, Jack Viney, Dayne Zorko, Todd Goldstein, Lachie Weller, Seb Ross, Aaron Cadman
• OUTS: Adam Treloar, Jason Johannisen, Rory Lobb, Trent McKenzie, Josh Treacy