IF NIGHT one is anything to go by, Adam Cerra and George Hewett will have key roles to play in however Carlton fares in season 2022.

The midfield duo could hardly have been more impressive in the Blues’ first AFL game of the season, backing up strong pre-seasons with stellar first-up performances for their new club.

They finished with 30 and 28 disposals respectively on Thursday night, but it was what they and the rest of the Carlton midfield produced in the fourth term which went a long way to dictating the result.

In the last quarter alone, Cerra contributed 12 disposals and four clearances alone, while Hewett accumulated nine disposals with six of those contested.

They also both kicked their first goals in the Navy Blue, as part of a seven-goal run which ripped the game away from the Tigers.

Speaking post-match, the pair were delighted with being able to open their Carlton account with a win.

“We won our moments,” Hewett said in the rooms.

“It was a big step for us. We got challenged in the first and third quarter and we fought back really strongly.”

Cerra agreed, citing the bonds of the playing group across every line as the Blues turned a 20-point deficit into a 25-point winning margin.

“It showed the connection of the group and how far it has come over the summer,” he said.

“George and I have only been here for five months and we feel like we’ve blended into the group really well. 

“All the changes, everyone has been really great with making everyone feel involved. It shows in the trust that was out on the ground.”

It was out on the ground where both - as well as Oscar McDonald, in his first Carlton start - were officially welcomed to Carlton.

Their respective families were also out on the ground, as past Blues presented their guernseys in the middle of the MCG.

Andrew McKay was on hand to pass his old No.5 jumper on to Cerra, while Adrian Gleeson presented Hewett’s. Former rookie Simon White spoke of his experiences when passing on McDonald’s “fourth-game” jumper.

“We’ve had them speak at the Club hearing their story, so it was nice to have them follow up and give us our guernseys: they’re great people and were great players for the Club,” Hewett said.

“I loved it. Having our families there made them feel part of the Club as well,” Cerra said.

“They’re on the journey with us and they always have been. To bring them along was really important: they would’ve loved tonight.”