Carlton coach Michael Voss has ruled out Harry McKay and is sweating on Jack Martin’s availability as he ponders a new forward mix for the knockout semifinal against Melbourne.
Key points:
- McKay was taken from the field during the third quarter of the Blues’ win
- Voss says the key forward “wasn’t in a great way” at the end of the match
- Martin could be facing a suspension following an incident during the match
McKay has entered concussion protocols after he sustained a head knock in a marking contest during the third quarter of the Blues’ six-point triumph over Sydney in Friday night’s elimination final at the MCG.
The key forward, who missed two shots from the top of the goal square earlier in the match, had to be helped from the playing arena by trainers.
“He won’t be right for next week,” Voss told reporters after the match.
“He wasn’t in a great way at the end of the game so he’s in concussion protocols and that makes him unavailable for next week.
“We’ll have to look at what mix looks like.”
Martin will come under scrutiny from the match review officer for his high hit on Nick Blakey and faces possible suspension.
Blakey underwent a concussion test but returned to play out the match.
Voss said he had not seen replays of the incident but declared Martin an important contributor for the Blues in the second half of the season after he overcame calf injuries.
Martin kicked two vital goals against the Swans.
“He had some great moments at the end where he just stood up,” Voss said.
“He had some real deeds where he needed to step up and the team needed him to step up, and he got them done for us.
“He’s been a really important addition to us. He’s come in and he’s provided a third marking target.
“He’s tough and hard at the ball — not many people talk about him like that, but he is — and he adds a little bit of leadership out there for us at the same time.”
The win capped off a successful return to the finals for the Blues, who last played in the post-season in 2013.
AAP
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Source: AFL NEWS ABC
