Blues set to name star for final

Carlton's Chris Judd is set to be named. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / HeraldSun

CARLTON will name Chris Judd to take on arch-rival Richmond, completing a remarkable comeback by the dual Brownlow Medallist.

Judd was ruled out for the season three weeks ago with a four to six-week knee injury, but should train fully in Thursday's main session.

The former captain completed a light session earlier this week after recovering from a medial ligament strain

Only an unexpected setback will prevent Judd being included in the Blues 25-man squad for Sunday's game.

Gone ... Chris Judd will miss the rest of the season. Source: Getty Images

Carlton is determined to cash in on its luck in being included in the final eight at Essendon's expense, and is honing a battle plan to take down Richmond.

The Blues are the first side to finish outside the finals on wins but be elevated on a rival's demotion.

They go into Sunday's elimination final as $2.45 outsiders.

Part of the club's preparation was a special city gathering this week.

The gathering for players and their partners included speeches by coach Mick Malthouse and president Stephen Kernahan.

Carlton denied it was a Malthouse call-to-arms before the final, saying it was a thank you to the players, volunteers and football staff members.

The dinner was hastily arranged after the Blues' rousing fightback against Port Adelaide.

Malthouse has been urging his players not to think they were lucky to be in the eight, but deserved their spot.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan forecast a crowd of more than 90,000 at the Richmond-Carlton clash.

The league believes as many as 240,000 spectators will crowd into its venues for the four games this weekend.

"Our forecast is up to 60,000 on Friday night, 33,500 at Geelong, 50,000-55,000 for (Collingwood-Port Adelaide), and it is all but sold out on Sunday so we are hoping that crowd is 90,000 or over," McLachlan said.

The AFL and MCC have worked hard in recent seasons to ensure sold-out MCG crowds are not smaller than 90,000, with empty seats in the AFL and MCC members' sections.

The last 500 seats for Richmond-Carlton will be released today at 10am.

Carlton's qualification for September has eased the pressure at Visy Park, after a season in which Blues powerbroker Bruce Mathieson called for the recruiting department to be sacked.

Kernahan is expected to continue as president for Carlton's150th anniversary next year after several contenders for the position faded away.

Vice-president Richard Newton and Australia Post chief executive Ahmed Fahour are in line to take over if and when Kernahan goes.

The Blues are expected to poach renowned fitness boss David Buttifant from Collingwood at season's end.

Sacked Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has also been linked with his former Magpies senior coach Malthouse for a role next year.

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