Carlton swing changes for do-or-die preliminary final clash

Carlton Blues have made four significant changes to their squad for the upcoming AFL preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Matt Kennedy, David Cuningham, Matt Owies, and Brodie Kemp have all been dropped from the team, as they Blues prepare for their first preliminary final since 2000, and their first interstate preliminary final ever.

As expected, Carlton stars Harry McKay and Jack Martin will be making their return, but the inclusion of Jordan Boyd has caught many by surprise. Ollie Hollands has also been promoted to the starting line-up, leaving room for only one of the four omitted players to be this week’s likely substitute.

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The Blues ($3.05) face the monumental task of upsetting the Lions ($1.38), with online bookmakers heavily favouring the home side, following their second-placed finish after the home-and-away season.

The Brisbane Lions have made just a single change to their lineup. Darcy Gardiner will be stepping in to replace injured defender Jack Payne, who would have been one of the key candidates to stand Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow.

Meanwhile, in other AFL news, Collingwood has welcomed back Brownlow Medal favorite, Nick Daicos, for Friday night’s clash with the GWS Giants.

Daicos had been sidelined since Round 21 due to a hairline fracture in his right knee, with the Magpies confident he would have played last weekend if they lost their qualifying final a fortnight ago.

The Pies were spared a potential selection headache as veteran midfielder Taylor Adams has been ruled out of the team due to a hamstring injury. Adams aims to prove his fitness in time for the grand final, should Collingwood advance.

The Giants have decided to stick with their winning formula from last week, opting for an unchanged side following their victory over Port Adelaide.

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