CARLTON coach Michael Voss has defended Sam Walsh after the star Blues midfielder was subject to "ridiculous" commentary over a dangerous tackle.

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield was able to overturn a one-game ban for rough conduct on Walsh last Friday night.

During the broadcast of the game, commentators believed Walsh had initiated the contact with the turf in an attempt to draw a free kick.

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Match Review Officer Michael Christian assessed the incident as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact, but the Cats successfully took their case to the tribunal to clear Dangerfield.

"That questions the integrity of Sam Walsh," Voss said of the commentary surrounding the Carlton star.

"That was just a ridiculous comment to make.

"I'd be happy enough to have that argument with anyone standing in front of me."

Voss admitted he was expecting Dangerfield to remain suspended and miss Geelong's match against Essendon on Saturday night.

"We're thankful that Sam is OK, wasn't concussed and we got him for the rest of the game and this week," Voss said.

"We've got a fairly stringent process there - there's the MRO has their view and then the tribunal has their own view as well and you have to state your case.

"It's (the outcome) probably a little bit different than what we expected. 

"But at the same time, the process is there to be followed through on, and in this instance Geelong were able to follow through on that and they've got a player available.

"We're just thankful that we've got a player available as well."

Voss confirmed midfielder Adam Cerra would return after being named in Carlton's extended squad to face Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.

The former Fremantle player has been limited to just six games this season due to multiple hamstring issues.

"We've probably held out a little longer than what we needed to, trying to get a couple extra sessions under his belt," Voss said of Cerra.

"The fact that we're able to probably win in a couple of games helps you be a little more patient when it comes to that, but he's a very important player to us."

However, Voss said small forward Jesse Motlop would spend another week in the VFL, instead being selected as an emergency against the Tigers.

"We'd probably like to see a little bit more from Jess, but he's been able to show really good signs about where we see him," Voss said.