CARLTON has received a big boost for this weekend’s match against Collingwood, with captain Anthony Koutoufides to return for his first match of the season.
Forward Brad Fisher also returns after two weeks out with a broken cheekbone, while young gun Paul Bower will play his first game of the season. Bower, a tall defender, played two games last year.
The three inclusions will provide more tall options for the Blues after ruckman Cameron Cloke injured his shoulder at training on Wednesday.
Cloke had an MRI scan on Thursday and will see a specialist on Friday to determine if he will need surgery.
Joe Anderson and Luke Blackwell are the other omissions from the team that played the Saints last weekend.
Wingman Kade Simpson will play his 50th match against the Magpies, after being recruited in the 2002 NAB AFL national draft.
CARLTON B: Andrew Carrazzo, Setanta O’hAilpin, Bret Thornton HB: Andrew Walker, Jarrad Waite, Heath Scotland C: Bryce Gibbs, Anthony Koutoufides, Kade Simpson HF: Eddie Betts, Lance Whitnall, Brad Fisher F: Josh Kennedy, Brendan Fevola, Matthew Lappin FOLL: Cain Ackland, Ryan Houlihan, Marc Murphy I/C: Adam Bentick, Paul Bower, Jordan Russell, Ross Young EMG: Joe Anderson, Luke Blackwell, Jason Saddington
In: Bower, Fisher, Koutoufides Out: Anderson, Blackwell, Cameron Cloke (shoulder)
