Carlton coach David Teague has “categorically” ruled out injury-plagued Mitch McGovern for Round 1's clash against Richmond due to a back injury.
The Blues forward had overcome a hamstring injury sustained pre-season, but after the club’s main training session ahead of Thursday night’s season-opener, Teague said he wouldn’t be risked.
“Mitch McGovern won’t play (on Thursday night) and he’s one I can categorically rule out,” he told Sportsday.
“He had a really good pre-season up until two or three weeks ago, he did a little bit of a hamstring injury which he’s over and then his back flared up.
“He’s running now, but he didn’t train (today) and if you can’t get through our main session, it makes it too hard to pick you.”
Veteran small forward Eddie Betts, who is entering his second season of his second stint at the club, hasn’t featured at all during Carlton’s two pre-season games because of a calf setback.
Teague said Betts was “definitely putting his hand up” to play against the Tigers after training fully on Monday.
“He got through training and he’s one of a few we have to wait on," he said.
“Eddie (Betts) has missed a chunk (of pre-season), but he’s definitely putting his hand up pretty hard in the last few weeks.
“He trained very well today.”
