WHO MISSED
Jason Saddington (knee) had arthroscopy on Wednesday, will return in three to four weeks. Nick Stevens (calf) had a scan during week, and is expected to play in NAB Cup. Josh Kennedy (shoulder) is expected back in three to four weeks. Jake Edwards (finger) is still two weeks away. Anthony Raso (glandular fever) is expected to resume in three to four weeks.
WHO'S BACK
Brendan Fevola (groin surgery) was a bit rusty in his first competitive hitout but emerged unscathed after three quarters. Kade Simpson (finger) slipped quietly back into action after missing last week.
WHO'S NEW
Marc Murphy, the No. 1 draft pick, impressed with a consistent on-ball performance. Paul Bower had a tough time in defence coping with an explosive Setanta O'hAilpin. Dylan McLaren acquitted himself well in the ruck against Barnaby French and Adrian Deluca.
EARLY FORMGUIDE
With most of Carlton's senior players in the red team, and its younger faces in white, the game itself was a mismatch until several stars switched sides at half-time.
The Blues looked sharp enough early, though the skills and competitiveness waned after the break.
O'hAilpin's form was the clear highlight, the big, strong Irish key forward kicking a couple of early goals, giving away a couple more, leading well and marking strongly.
Lance Whitnall looks in good nick, and played accordingly at centre half-back. Skipper Anthony Koutoufides shone in the half he played, Fevola needed the run but did take a great contested pack mark, while Ryan Houlihan, Adam Bentick and Luke Blackwell also stood out.
POSITION WATCH
The Blues didn't go overboard with experimentation. Whitnall stayed at centre half-back, where he's likely to spend most of this season. Regular defender David Teague spent some time up forward, and Brad Fisher got busy pushing back up the ground from half-forward.
THE NEW RULES
Nothing notable from this game, save for the obviously quicker kick-ins after a behind, the Blues using the opportunity to work on some set plays, an area in which coach Denis Pagan conceded afterwards Carlton still needs plenty of work.
WHAT THE COACH SAID
"A lot of positive things came out of it, things that we'd worked on over the pre-season. There's still things we need to improve on, but our ball movement and usage was quite good."
- DENIS PAGAN
WHAT PLAYERS SAID
"Being a young side, there's been a lot of emphasis on weights and putting weight on. Probably over the first two years compared to now, I notice that the blokes are a lot bigger in the drills and hitting the bags a lot harder."
- DAVID TEAGUE