MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: Jack Martin of the Blues in action during the 2020 AFL Round 02 match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium on June 13, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Carlton are expected to make a late change to Thursday's lineup to face Geelong, with midfield-forward hybrid Jack Martin reportedly in line to be withdrawn from Michael Voss' squad ahead of the bounce.
The Blues made just the one change to their squad that managed a draw against Richmond in Round 1, with midfielder George Hewett sidelined due to a hand injury sustained in the season opener.
Small forward Corey Durdin has come into the side in place of Hewett after recovering from a hamstring injury that delayed the start of his season, while midfielder Lochie O'Brien has been listed as an emergency for the second straight week after being deployed as the tactical sub against the Tigers.
O'Brien could be in line for a starting spot amid reports from The Age that suggest Martin may miss his side's Round 2 bout with the Cats due to a calf complaint.
Martin battled a calf concern across the course of last year and is understood to be suffering from a similar ailment this week, with Voss anticipated to swing a late change to his Round 2 side.
Senior ruckman Marc Pittonet, small forward Josh Honey and defender Lachie Plowman join O'Brien in being named as emergencies for Thursday's match, with Voss to select one of the quartet to replace Martin if needed.
Another will be named as the tactical sub, unless the Blues add a further name to their list of emergencies in the event of Martin's withdrawal.
Voss could consider Pittonet as a starting option to face Geelong, potentially moving first-string tall Tom De Koning into attack to gain a further height advantage over Geelong's undermanned backline.
The Cats are without star defender Tom Stewart for the coming rounds due to an MCL sprain, with new recruit Jack Bowes taking his place and making his club debut. The Cats have flagged All-Australian Mark Blicavs could be in line for a move into defence to alleviate the work for key defensive pairing Sam De Koning and Esava Ratugolea.
Ratugolea impressed as a tall defender against Collingwood in Round 1, having been trialled as a backman at VFL level last year and through the recent pre-season. He will again work in tandem with De Koning, who has been cleared of an injury concern for Round 2, as the pair prepare to tussle with Coleman Medal-winning duo Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
Geelong coach Chris Scott has also confirmed second-year midfielder Cooper Whyte will make his debut, however that will likely come as the tactical sub after the 20-year-old was listed as an emergency on Wednesday night.
Carlton will host Geelong at the MCG at 7:20pm (AEDT) on Thursday night.