Carlton recruits Mark Whiley and Jason Tutt have staked their claims for a spot in Mick Malthouse's round two side after solid hit-outs in a VFL practice match on Good Friday.
Playing for the Northern Blues against Hawthorn affiliate Box Hill (which fielded no AFL players), Tutt and Whiley were the chief ball-winners in their side's 31-point loss - 7.8 (50) to 12.9 (81).
Working up and down the wing of Ikon Park, ex-Western Bulldog Tutt showed some of his customary dash which Carlton sorely missed in the second half of its 27-point season-opening loss to Richmond.
The 23-year-old collected 21 touches and also booted a goal after a quick snap in the fourth quarter.
After a slow start to his first game of 2015, Whiley caught fire in the second term when he racked up 10 disposals. The 22-year-old midfielder, who was traded by Greater Western Sydney last year, finished with 20 touches.
Northern Blues coach Luke Webster critiques the performances of senior Carlton players
The Northern Blues outfit boasted 16 AFL-listed players, however they simply couldn't contain last year's beaten Grand Finalists.
Emerging on-baller Nick Graham ran tirelessly throughout the contest to finish with 21 touches for the Blues, while Dennis Armfield (16 possessions and a goal) was tough in the clinches.
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, pick 28 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, did some nice things off half-back and through the centre, with his piercing left-foot a highlight in a mostly scrappy affair.
During one passage of play the 19-year-old from the Western Jets burst through a tackle in the centre square and in one motion swung onto his left boot to deliver a daisy-cutting ball onto the chest of a teammate inside 50.
Fellow draftee Blaine Boekhorst was well held across half-forward.
Key forward Levi Casboult, overlooked by Mick Malthouse against the Tigers after playing 19 games and kicking 29 goals in 2014, booted one major and had a strong presence playing most of the match in the ruck.
Hawthorn held its AFL-listed players out of the match after a searching intra-squad practice match during the week.