Carlton win but key changes loom for Melbourne clash

Carlton has suffered two tremendous blows but have won their first AFL final in over 10 years, and will now face Melbourne in another cut-throat final on Friday night.

The Blues were hot favourites to beat the Swans and for big periods of the clash they played like it, however the Swans finished strongly and could have won, with the final margin six points.

Carlton will now have to find replacements for two of their star forwards, with Harry McKay (concussion) and Jack Martin (suspension) set to miss the Demons’ semi-final clash.

The Demons were beaten by Collingwood in their qualifying final on Thursday night, with several injury concerns of their own coming out of the match, including Angus Brayshaw (concussion).

Melbourne has been installed a $1.70 favourite to beat Carlton ($2.15), despite the Demons narrowly losing to them in their last clash a month ago. Online bookmakers are yet to set a line for the semi-final.

Martin’s involvement in an on-field incident where he struck Nick Blakey’s head during Carlton’s victory makes his suspension from the next game almost certain. The hit might be classified as careless conduct with high contact and medium impact, given Martin used his right arm in the incident. Such a classification would mean Martin is handed a one-match suspension.

The incident took place when Blakey bent down to pick up the Sherrin, resulting in a high hit from Martin. This development now leaves Carlton in a challenging position as they seek to fill the void left by both Martin and McKay, the latter being sidelined due to a concussion.

Carlton’s worries don’t stop there with Jack Silvagni still racing to be fit, with the utility the preferred replacement as Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow’s foil in the forward line. Silvagni, who is yet to sign at the Blues for next season, has missed a chunk of football with a knee injury.

Other players in contention for the starting 22 in the high-stakes clash against Melbourne include Paddy Dow, Zak Fisher, Ollie Hollands, and substitute Jesse Motlop.

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