Carlton pins its hopes on Curnow

CARLTON hopes to replace hospitalised spearhead Levi Casboult with Charlie Curnow for Saturday’s MCG clash against Essendon.

The Blues are also likely to recall No.1 draft Jacob Weitering and have set struggling father-son draft pick Jack Silvagni a new challenge to play as an inside midfielder in the VFL.

Casboult, 28, will miss a month of football and must remain in Adelaide after suffering a fractured rib and damage to the lining of his lung.

The full-forward led the club’s goalkicking with 34.18 last year. Coach Brendon Bolton’s team has now travelled 40 consecutive games without scoring 100 points and has slumped to 0-7 for the first time in club history.

If Curnow (ankle) doesn’t return against the Bombers the Blues could be without five of their top seven goalkickers from last season.

Casboult suffered the injury in a heavy collision late in Saturday night’s 55point loss to Adelaide.

“Scans have confirmed as a result of the fracture, Levi has sustained an injury to the lining of his lung,” Blues football boss Andrew McKay said.

“Levi will remain in Adelaide for monitoring over the coming days and while disappointing that this adds to our growing injury list, we understand that senior exposure will only benefit our younger players in the longterm.”

Curnow and defender Caleb Marchbank both missed the loss to the Crows with ankle complaints, but are confident of facing Essendon.

Weitering, 20, recorded 17 marks and 28 disposals in the VFL on Saturday with his aerial dominance telling.

Youngster Pat Kerr booted three VFL goals for the second consecutive week as he inches towards an AFL debut.

Bolton remained composed after the Blues’ 16th loss from their past 17 games. “There are lots of little signs,” hwe said. “It’s hard to see it (and) it hurts while we’re in it, but there are blue skies ahead.”