Live: Blues lose big man for blockbuster MCG clash against Hawks

It’s a question Blues coach Michael Voss was very careful in how he answered it.

Instead, he stressed the importance of the Blues coming together and pulling their collective weight, rather than relying on the dual Coleman medallist.

“Speaking to him yesterday, he’s just really clear and excited about being able to get back out there, and he’s a performer … again, we’re not in this sort of conversation around that one person is going to make a difference here,” Voss said during the week.

“Clearly what makes a difference is that when we stay connected as an 18-man team, and we’ve spoken a lot about sport mentality and essentially that’s what gets the job done.”

That might change slightly now with Harry McKay a late out with illness and even more reliance heaped onto Curnow’s shoulders.

Garry Lyon, on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 host, offered more during the week:

“That’s a trap, the saviour mentality and hero mentality that has existed at that football club for a long period of time, that ‘Someone will come in and fix us. Charlie will come and fix us’,” Lyon said.

It’s mixed news for Carlton fans regarding the ins and out.

While the Blues regain spearhead superstar Charlie Curnow for tonight’s match against Hawthorn, they lose Harry McKay, who is a late out.

McKay, who has been hit with illness, is replaced by Lewis Young. Coming out for Curnow is Francis Evans.

Those are the only changes as, despite the Blues shocking defeat to predicted wooden spooners Richmond last week, Michael Voss didn’t make any other cuts.

For Hawthorn, Changkuoth Jiath makes his long-awaited return, alongside veteran forward Jack Gunston.

Coming out is Sam Frost (who was the sub last week), while Jack Scrimshaw was unavailable due to both injury and suspension.

G’evening football fans and welcome to our live AFL blog for Hawthorn v Carlton at the MCG tonight. First bounce 7.30pm.

It’s a match you’d think Blues fans will be feeling pretty nervous about – remember their shock upset loss to Richmond last week? – and Hawks fans feeling pretty confident about.

But, dear readers, it’s just round two and anything can happen in footy.

Let’s get to it, shall we?