Zac’s down but not completely out

CARLTON’S defensive playmaker Zac Williams has dodged a dreaded achilles tendon rupture and will instead be sidelined with a high-grade calf injury.

The Blues believe Williams (pictured) will miss 10-12 weeks but it is a best-case scenario given the likely 12-month recovery had he torn his achilles.

Williams is in the second season of a five-year deal worth as much as $800,000 per season and slumped to the Giants Stadium turf early in the victory over GWS.

He was inconsolable and feared he had torn the opposite achilles tendon to the one he did during training in the 2018 pre-season.

But Carlton confirmed on Monday afternoon he had only suffered the calf injury, having hoped on Sunday it might be the case after early indications from club doctors.

The Blues will be confident

Williams can return to make a difference in the finals.

Carlton is still without Marc Pittonet (PCL) and Harry McKay (knee injury) for some time but hopes Liam Stocker (shoulder) and Jack Martin (calf) could be available this week or next.

The Blues take on Sydney on Friday night at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans challenging the one-week ban of James Rowbottom after he hit Essendon’s Zach Merrett high.