Carlton coach Michael Voss has ruled out Harry McKay and is sweating on Jack Martin's availability as he ponders a new forward mix for the knockout AFL semi-final against Melbourne.
McKay has entered concussion protocols after he was hurt in a marking contest during the third quarter of the Blues' six-point triumph over Sydney in Friday night's elimination final.
The key forward, who missed two shots from the top of the goal square earlier in the match, had to be helped from the MCG playing arena by trainers.
"He won't be right for next week," Voss told reporters post-match.
"He wasn't in a great way at the end of the game so he's in concussion protocols and that makes him unavailable for next week.
"We'll have to look at what mix looks like."
Martin will come under scrutiny from the match review officer for his high hit on Nick Blakey and faces possible suspension.
Dashing Sydney defender Blakey underwent a concussion test but returned to play out the match.
Voss said he had not seen replays of the incident but declared Martin an important contributor for the Blues in the second half of the season after he overcame calf injuries.
The silky forward kicked two vital goals against the Swans.
"He had some great moments at the end where he just stood up," Voss said.
"He had some real deeds where he needed to step up and the team needed him to step up, and he got them done for us.
"He's been a really important addition to us. He's come in and he's provided a third marking target.
"He's tough and hard at the ball - not many people talk about him like that, but he is - and he adds a little bit of leadership out there for us at the same time."
Voss hailed Carlton's growing maturity and grit in another tight game, following a series of tight victories near the end of the home-and-away campaign that booked their ticket to September.
The Blues led by 30 points during the third quarter and resisted a strong Swans challenge to win 11.8 (74) to 9.14 (68) in front of 92,026 fans to advance to the second week of the finals.
"We've been accused of not getting those jobs done in the past but we've gone to work on ourselves and we're sort of thriving in those moments," Voss said.
"I don't know whether 'thrive' is necessarily the right word I'd use today but we certainly got through it."
