Uncapped Carlton forward Harry Lemmey has put his hand up for a potential AFL debut after booting seven goal in the VFL on Friday, with Sydney captain Callum Mills having a dominant return from injury in the same game.
Lemmey's haul of goals came in a 30-point win for the Blues' reserves, with the third-year Blues tall having four to half-time and could've had more had it not been for two fourth-term behinds.
The South Australian product had eight marks and 11 disposals in what was his best return on the score sheet across his 40 VFL games to date.
The impressive afternoon in attack ended a goalless run for Lemmey, who had failed to kick a major in his previous two outings, while he had managed seven goals for the season in his four games prior.
Lemmey's latest performance could have the 21-year-old in the selection frame for Carlton's next AFL game, with the Blues to return to Melbourne for Round 11 to host GWS.
Off the back of a 16-point loss to Sydney and set to come up against the Giants' star-studded defence, Carlton could look to the 201cm forward to help stretch GWS' rearguard.
The Blues could be facing multiple changes for next week, with Jordan Boyd (concussion) and Jack Silvagni (groin) both unable to finish the match.
Fellow Carlton tall and VFL-listed forward Liam McMahon was also prolific in attack against the Swans' reserves, booting four goals to bring his season tally to 22 goals from six games.
McMahon has now kicked at least three goals in every match this year, bringing his multiple-goal streak to 22 games, dating back to his first game of the 2024 season.
The continued run of form for McMahon could have the former Collingwood-listed forward on the radar of AFL clubs ahead of the Mid-Season Draft, with Carlton potentially among the clubs to look his way, having had McMahon train under senior coach Michael Voss over the pre-season.
The Blues will have at least one list spot open for the May 28 Mid-Season Draft, having lost Brodie Kemp to an Achilles injury in April.
Meanwhile, Sydney's VFL side welcomed the return of the aforementioned Mils on Friday, with the Swans skipper making his first appearance for the year after dealing with a calf injury.
Mills overcame multiple setbacks to feature for the Swans' state side, and looked at ease from the get-go in his return.
The All-Australian had 19 disposals, six marks, three tackles, two clearances, three intercept possessions and a goal in less than three quarters of football.
Veteran Swan Taylor Adams has also placed his hat in the ring for a return from injury, managing 29 disposals, seven clearances, 15 contested possessions and four score involvements in the loss.
Former Carlton captain Sam Docherty (37 disposals and six marks), Blues rookie Ben Camporeale (19 disposals and one goal) Swans defender Ben Paton (28 disposals, eight intercept possessions and five inside 50s) were other AFL-listed players to impress in the match.
Blues utility Alex Cincotta had a successful return from pre-season hip surgery, while Swans forward Hayden McLean only managed the eight disposals and two behinds after being dropped
