Cloud over Menzel’s future

Blues again unlikely to budge on Gibbs

He hasn’t looked out of place in those games and will play a key role alongside Jed Bews, Tom Stewart, Andrew Mackie and Zach Tuohy in rotating through the Tigers’ forwards.

Guthrie will join Brandan Parfitt and Tom Stewart in playing their first AFL final in their debut year on Geelong’s list.

Others to achieve that include Tom Ruggles (2016), Jordan Murdoch (2012), Joel Selwood (2007), Matt Egan and Nathan Ablett (2005).

“To get this opportunity is very humbling,” Guthrie told the Cats website. “I’m sure everyone will help me out and make it a lot easier.

“Everyone has been really good in making me feel more comfortable through the year.”

The Tigers regained former Cat Josh Caddy from his hamstring injury and have left out Oleg Markov. CARLTON will again play hardball with Bryce Gibbs, telling the midfielder it has no plans to trade him. A year after Adelaide accused the Blues of making “unrealistic demands” of two first-round draft picks, Carlton is once more set to hold out for a king’s ransom.

News Corp understands Carlton will put a huge asking price of two first-round draft picks and a player on Gibbs’ head in a clear message it doesn’t want him going anywhere.

It remains unclear whether Gibbs will again push for a move home to Adelaide. He shocked the Blues last October by requesting a trade so that he and his partner Lauren would have better family support around their young son, Charlie.

But at 28, Carlton remains determined to retain one of its best midfielders.