“I’d find it staggering”: Cornes and Buckley place doubt on potential Docherty return

If he’s fit and ready to go, should Carlton play Sam Docherty this weekend?

The much-loved Blues defender/midfielder suffered his third ACL injury in the dramatic Opening Round win over Brisbane at the Gabba.

The 30-year-old has recovered swiftly and there is talk that he could be injected into the Blues side by coach Michael Voss for this Saturday night’s Elimination Final clash with former club the Lions at the very same venue.

Docherty’s possible return would come less than six months after the injury which is remarkable in itself, however, does bring with it some risk.

SEN Breakfast’s Kane Cornes and Nathan Buckley pondered what they would do if they were in charge at the Blues in the lead-up to a massive final.

“We were speaking about finals wildcards and when is the right time to take a risk on a different move,” Cornes said.

“Be that a positional move or a selection move.

“Would you play him (Docherty) this weekend if he puts his hand up?”

Buckley certainly has his doubts.

“Opening Round he’s done his knee and he’s going to come back and go to the same ground?,” the former Collingwood coach said.

“I’d find it staggering that they could do it.”

Cornes added: “So would I.

“I couldn’t find a reason. I find it hard.”

Buckley admits there is the possibility of a major positive that comes with bringing back a central figure, but he detects that playing back at the ground where the injury first took place might bring with it some mental demons.

He proposed the idea of potentially using Docherty the following week if the Blues manage to get past the Lions.

“There’s plenty of Pollyanna reasons why you would do it,” said Buckley.

“But we’ve said this before about Sam Docherty and he finds a way, but he has done three knees.

“You’ve got to look at what it is. Does a week make any difference? Potentially not getting him back on the Gabba.

“I think he’s pretty strong mentally and emotionally but everyone has their limits.”

The Blues, who have won just two of their last eight, meet the Lions at the Gabba from 7:30pm AEST on Saturday night.

The winner will play the loser of the Sydney v GWS Qualifying Final on Semi Final weekend.