CAM O’Shea will make his Carlton debut at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, 588 days after his last AFL game with Port Adelaide.

Named at half-back for the clash with Gold Coast, the 26-year-old joins David Cuningham as the Blues’ inclusions, while Matthew Kennedy (ankle) and Jack Silvagni (omitted) make way from the side which lost to Richmond in Round 1.

Delisted at the end of 2016 after 81 games with the Power, O’Shea never gave up on his dream of a return to the AFL, winning the Northern Blues’ best and fairest last year and earning selection in the VFL’s team of the year before joining Carlton in November’s pre-season draft.

Known for his elite endurance and outstanding intercept work, the 193cm defender impressed in Carlton’s JLT Community Series win over Hawthorn, collecting 10 disposals and four tackles in his allocated half of footy.

O’Shea’s return isn’t the only feel-good story for the Blues this week, with Marc Murphy set to notch up his 100th game as Carlton captain.

He will become just the fifth player in Carlton history to achieve the feat, joining Stephen Kernahan (226 games, 1987-1997), John Nicholls (188 games, 1961-1974), Craig Bradley (116 games, 1991-2001) and Chris Judd (105 games, 2008-2012).

The Blues and Suns will go head-to-head from 1:45pm EDT, with clear skies forecasted.

CARLTON'S ROUND 2 TEAM:

Backs 20. Lachie Plowman 14. Liam Jones 23. Jacob Weitering Half-backs 24. Cam O'Shea 22. Caleb Marchbank 38. Ciaran Byrne Centreline 6. Kade Simpson 9. Patrick Cripps 18. Aaron Mullett Half-forwards 25. Zac Fisher 41. Levi Casboult 39. Dale Thomas Forwards 5. Sam Petrevski-Seton 30. Charlie Curnow 21. Jarrod Garlett Followers 8. Matthew Kreuzer 35. Ed Curnow 3. Marc Murphy (C) Interchange 2. Paddy Dow 28. David Cuningham 13. Jed Lamb 46. Matthew Wright Emergencies 11. Sam Kerridge 10. Harry McKay 29. Cameron Polson 1. Jack Silvagni

In: Cuningham, O'Shea

Out: Kennedy (ankle), J. Silvagni (omitted)

Milestones: Marc Murphy (100 games as Carlton captain), Jed Lamb (50 AFL games)