Despite making another significant stride towards September by knocking off their most bitter rivals, Carlton's 17-point win over Collingwood on Friday night failed to go off without a hitch.
After losing star midfielder Sam Walsh to a hamstring strain the week prior, Blues medicos could be forgiven for feeling déjà vu as fellow engine-room cog Adam Cerra finished the win on the bench, icing his own tendon.
Prior to being subbed out midway through the third term, the former Docker had the ball on a string, racking up 17 contested possessions and six clearances.
Though the line out of Carlton's room would read that Cerra was suffering from "hamstring awareness", the former top-10 draftee's recent history with tendon complaints will have those at Princes Park on high alert.
While Cerra was hampered with hamstring tightness during June of last season, the 23-year-old was also forced onto the sidelines during Carlton's 71-point win over West Coast last Saturday afternoon.
Speaking post-game, a jubilant Michael Voss claimed he didn't have answers as to how long the in-form midfielder would miss along the straight into finals.
"We don't know. I couldn't even tell you whether it's in the exact same area (as the previous setback) or not," Voss stated.
A setback of any length for Cerra will likely see out-of-contract Blue Paddy Dow earn another chance to press for a new deal or impress potential suitors ahead of the off-season.
"It's obviously disappointing to lose him; at the same time, Dowy's been able to get a job done when we've asked him to," Voss added.
Carlton will earn another chance to consolidate their finals credentials when they do battle with fellow September aspirants St Kilda next Sunday in an old-fashioned eight-pointer at Marvel Stadium.
