THERE have been a lot of new faces over the pre-season at IKON Park.

However, one returning face who feels like a new Blue is Jack Carroll, who returned for his second pre-season with a quest for a first senior game driving his summer so far.

Carroll is looking for consistency and strength in his development, with an interrupted VFL season last year giving him minimal opportunities for game time. 

Carroll took the opportunity to reset over the break with family and friends, as well as a familiar face to keep his training schedule in check. 

“I was pretty fortunate that I got to go home to Western Australia, so I just spent some good time with family and friends camping, surfing and fishing,” Carroll said. 

“I got to train with 'Crippa': I learned a lot from him up there and pretty much leeched off him, learning a lot of good habits from him: it’s helped me a lot.” 

On the skipper, Carroll said there is no one better to learn from, especially when trying to up his strength in the contest. 

“He’s definitely someone to learn off being a beast inside: he’s probably the strongest and best guys in the comp,” he said.  

“He’s given me some advice and I’ve definitely taken it on board.” 

In the pre-season so far, Carroll has been focusing on using his skills to the best of his ability, making them count when he is under the pump on the inside or the outside. 

“I think the main thing for me so far is being aggressive and being damaging with my skills,” he said.

“I think when I play my best footy, I’m classy and use the ball well but I'm also going super hard inside so that’s what I’ve been trying to bring this year.” 

Carroll has yet to play his first AFL game, but it's the ultimate goal for the 19-year-old midfielder leading into 2022.

He believes that working on both his craft and his versatility will give him the best chance to secure a spot in the team at the elite level. 

“I’ll probably just work on a few different positions, I’ll play a bit of inside, a bit of outside and go up forward a little bit,” he said. 

“If I can build my craft in all those areas, then I should have a good chance.” 

Things at Carlton look a bit different since the first time Carroll walked through the doors a little over 12 months ago, with new coaches, players and facilities, but Carroll is enjoying the fresh feeling of being back. 

“Having a whole new environment, the new coaches, the new players, everyone has fit in really well and everyone has been loving it,” he said. 

“‘Vossy’ has been awesome: he’s such a good guy, so easy to get along with.” 

The new recruits have also impressed Carroll, admitting that he’s had his work cut out for him against a few of the new Blues. 

“Adam Cerra, he’s been training really well. A new recruit and he’s really classy, I love the way he plays his footy,” he said. 

“George Hewett, I went with him in a conditioning block and he is so strong, it’s pretty impressive.”