Carlton forward Sam Philp will miss a month of football after injuring his ribs in his side’s VFL practice match win over Richmond.
The 2019 first-round pick kicked three goals in the match and would have been on the fringe of team selection, before a big hit resulted in broken ribs.
Philp missed the entire 2021 season with a persistent groin issue, but was fit and firing heading into 2022.
SEN Chief Reporter Sam Edmund explained the situation on SEN Breakfast.
“Jack Martin needs to be replaced of course and among the most likely candidate was Sam Philp who was pick 20 in 2019 and was injured all of last year,” Edmund said.
“I’m told he busted his ribs in a VFL practice match .so he’s going to miss a few weeks, you can put a line through him.”
Philp has played two career games, both in 2020. Others in the frame to replace Martin, who will miss with COVID, include Lachie Fogarty, Brodie Kemp and 2021 draftee Jesse Motlop.
Every other Blues player has returned negative COVID tests, though Head of Football Brad Lloyd and midfield coach Tim Clarke will join Michael Voss on the sidelines for Thursday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Development coaches Daniel O’Keefe and Torin Baker will be called into the box on Thursday night in the absence of Voss and Clarke.