Johnson and Healy react as Blues bring back four for huge Demons clash

The teams are officially in for the Round 9 Thursday night clash between Carlton and Melbourne at the MCG.

It’s the first time that these sides have met since last year’s thrilling Semi-Final where Carlton prevailed late in a tight contest.

For the Blues, they’ve axed Lewis Young, Orazio Fantasia and David Cuningham while Zac Williams is out injured. Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern, Ollie Hollands and Jack Martin return in their places.

The Demons have made just one change with Jake Bowey in for Bailey Laurie.

SEN Sportsday’s Brad Johnson and Gerard Healy reacted to the teams being released on Wednesday night where they focused on Carlton’s changes.

Johnson: “They’d be happy with Mitch McGovern coming back in to support Jacob Weitering at centre half back.

“Jack Martin, I think is a really important player for them as an extra midfielder who can go into to centre bounce and get around stoppage, but also have some craft forward of the forward of the footy as well.

“Brodie Kemp is the other big one.

“It didn't surprise me that Lewis Young was omitted, I’m a little bit surprised around Fantasia but with Jack Martin, they're giving him that opportunity over Fantasia.”

Healy: “He (Fantasia) didn’t do a lot for them last week, but those are four big ins.

“I mean, Brodie Kemp, I think he's a better player than what he's shown at the present time.

“Mitch McGovern clearly comes in and Oliver Hollands gets his spot back after a run in the twos.

“Jack Martin's coming in cold, but he's such a talented player and I'm not surprised that Jake Bowey is into the Melbourne side, he's such a terrific user of the football.

“It's going to be a tight game this one.”

Check out the teams for Thursday’s clash below - teams now name five on the bench with the sub to be revealed pre-match.

Carlton

IN: Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern, Ollie Hollands, Jack Martin

OUT: Lewis Young (Omitted), Zac Williams (Injured), Orazio Fantasia (Omitted), David Cuningham (Omitted)

B: Brodie Kemp, Jacob Weitering, Lachie Cowan
HB: Alex Cincotta, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman
C: Ollie Hollands, Patrick Cripps, Blake Acres
HF: Jack Martin, Harry McKay, Elijah Hollands
F: Matt Owies, Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning
FOLL: Marc Pittonet, Sam Walsh, Matt Kennedy
I/C: Jordan Boyd, Adam Cerra, Matt Cottrell, George Hewett, Corey Durdin

Emerg: David Cuningham, Lewis Young, Orazio Fantasia

Melbourne

IN: Jake Bowey

OUT: Bailey Laurie (Omitted)

B: Blake Howes, Steven May, Trent Rivers
HB: Judd McVee, Jake Lever, Tom McDonald
C: Jack Billings, Clayton Oliver, Caleb Windsor
HF: Ed Langdon, Harrison Petty, Kysaiah Pickett
F: Jacob van Rooyen, Bayley Fritsch, Daniel Turner
FOLL: Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Christian Petracca
I/C: Jack Bowey, Alex Neal-Bullen, Tom Sparrow, Kade Chandler, Taj Woewodin

Emerg: Bailey Laurie, Marty Hore, Ben Brown

The bounce for Thursday’s game is set for 7:30 pm (AEDT).