Carlton refuse to let injury setbacks derail their finals ambitions, as key forward Harry McKay faces another month on the sidelines and Charlie Curnow races the clock to prove his fitness.
McKay, who has nine goals to his name this season, underwent a knee arthroscope this week and won’t be available until at least Round 19.
Curnow, the club’s leading goalkicker with 27 majors, was substituted with calf tightness against West Coast and remains in doubt for Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne.
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Despite the double blow, midfielder Adam Cerra says the club is confident in its attacking options and won’t be leaning solely on tall forwards to carry the load.
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“We’ve seen the last couple of weeks, some young players coming in, taking opportunity,” Cerra told Carlton Media. “Hudson O’Keefe, over the last couple of weeks, Harry Lemmey has been playing some really good football in the VFL.
“Then we’re not just purely relying on tall forwards down there. We’ve got our smalls getting to work – Lachie Fogarty, Zac Williams, since he’s come back from injury. So for us, it’s next man up.”
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McKay took personal leave earlier in the year to prioritise his mental health, and Cerra stressed the playing group is standing by their teammate during another difficult spell.
“Obviously, it’s been a tough year, so it’s extra-important that we get around him and support him, which this club is so great at,” he said. “We’re such a close group and tight-knit club, so I’m sure he’ll get heaps of support.”
Carlton currently sit 13th on the ladder with six wins and 10 games to play. Finals are still the target, but Cerra says the focus is purely on improving week by week.
“Like every club, we want to be in September trying to win this competition,” he said. “We’re not shying away from that.”