Big men Jarrad Waite, Matthew Kreuzer, Levi Casboult, Luke Mitchell, Shaun Hampson and Sam Rowe are all expected to be available for early-season selection, providing Blues coaches with a welcome problem they rarely confronted last year.
"We've ban far too reliant on Eddie (Betts) and Jeff (Garlett) and 'Walks' (Andrew Walker) to kick goals and reliant on 'Waitey' (Jarrad Waite) to stand up as a tall forward,'' Barker said.
" We could not get consistently healthy talls last year, so having these guys fit and available is going to be critical for us.
"The good thing is all of them who had some small and big issues last year, they are all ready to go.
"Mick philosophically is really keen to make sure we are fit and healthy at this stage of the year and we are.''
"He's a pro in everything he does, Waitey, but he's another one we can't keep relying on to be our only tall target,'' he said.
"We need other guys to stand up and give themselves every opportunity with a healthy pre-season.
"It's great to have guys like Sammy Rowe up and about after his illness (cancer). Levi Casboult is training really well.''