Carlton Blues head coach Michael Voss has officially announced the inclusion of two debutants, Jagga Smith and Harry Dean, for Thursday night’s highly anticipated AFL matchup against the Sydney Swans. The confirmation came during a press briefing where Voss expressed enthusiasm for the new talents joining the team’s lineup.
Voss highlighted Smith’s exceptional pre-season performance, particularly his dominant display against Geelong, which solidified his selection. Meanwhile, Dean is poised to commence what the coach described as a “very long partnership” with key defender Jacob Weitering on Carlton’s defensive line.
While Voss remained noncommittal regarding other potential starters including Wade Derksen, Will Hayward, Ben Ainsworth, and Ollie Florent, all participated in Tuesday’s training session. The coach’s comments suggested cautious optimism about Weitering’s availability despite the defender sustaining a fractured rib during last month’s State of Origin match.
Voss indicated that Weitering’s final selection hinges on his performance during Tuesday’s critical contact session, though he noted “there’s nothing to suggest” the defender wouldn’t be fit to play against his former teammate Charlie Curnow.
The Blues have demonstrated evolved ball movement strategies during pre-season, with Smith and rejuvenated midfielder Sam Walsh showing particular dynamism. Voss acknowledged that the season opener would likely feature a high-error first quarter as teams adjust to the pace, emphasizing the importance of settling into an effective rhythm.
The coach concluded by outlining Carlton’s strategic approach: “Everyone has got to be good at one thing, so we hope we bring that to the table but also have enough in the other phases of the game where we can do some damage.”