CARLTON ruckman Matthew Kreuzer will not play in Saturday's clash with Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium after being a late withdrawal with a groin injury.
Kreuzer has been replaced in the final side by midfielder Cameron Polson, who will play his second AFL game.
The big man "lost power in his groin" last week against Richmond but the Blues remained hopeful throughout the week he would be OK to play.
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Carlton defender Sam Docherty, who is working with the club's coaches this season while he rehabilitates his knee injury, said the Blues had planned for the possibility he wouldn't recover in time.
He was mysterious when questioned about how they would cover Kreuzer's absence, given the lack of obvious ruck support.
"He didn't get up, we gave him every chance right up until this morning and he just didn't quite get up," Docherty told 3AW.
"[Polson] is not really a like for like [replacement], but we planned for everything this week, we planned in case he didn't get up because we knew it was touch and go.
"What we have planned with hopefully help, we'll have to wait and see."
Levi Casboult, the expected replacement for Kreuzer in the ruck, will have his work cut out for him against Gold Coast big man Jarrod Witts, who had 34 hit-outs against North Melbourne last week.
The Blues were unable to call up ex-Port Adelaide big man Matthew Lobbe or former Giant Andrew Phillips, with both coming off limited pre-seasons.
Lobbe suffered a corked quad a few weeks ago and remains in the rehab group, while Phillips was on a reduced load across the summer after a foot injury ended his 2017 early and only played his first pre-season game last week.
Polson will start on the bench along with Paddy Dow, Jed Lamb and Cam O'Shea, who will play his first game for the Blues after crossing from the Power at the end of 2016.
The Suns will go in with an unchanged line up with Brayden Fiorini, Touk Miller, Michael Rischitelli and Brayden Ainsworth to start on the bench.
The roof at Etihad will remain open for the game, with the Melbourne forecast a sunny 23 degrees.
Carlton v Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium, 1.45pm AEDT
LATE CHANGES
Carlton: Matthew Kreuzer (groin) replaced in the selected side by Cam Polson.
Gold Coast: Nil
FINAL INTERCHANGES
Carlton: Paddy Dow, Jed Lamb, Cam Polson, Cam O'Shea
Gold Coast: Brayden Fiorini, Touk Miller, Michael Rischitelli, Brayden Ainsworth
