In his first pre-season at Visy Park, coach Mick Malthouse has placed great emphasis on educating the players – and the other members of his coaching – about the way in which he wants the Blues to go about their work, both on and off the field. Assistant coach Gavin Brown revealed that Malthouse's closely-guarded blueprint differed greatly in some areas to his predecessor Brett Ratten, but was very similar in others. As always with Malthouse teams, defence will be paramount. The Blues' pre-Christmas training program was deliberately varied to keep players fresh. They went on a two-week trip to Arizona, where they bonded and benefited physically from altitude training. They then recovered with an easy week back home before another solid training block for three weeks to Christmas, a period in which they completed a lot of hard running and skill work. In the process, they have achieved their aim of having a healthy list at the break.

Draftee watch: The Blues' three teenage draft picks – Troy Menzel, Tom Temay and Nick Graham – have been eased into training but each has impressed Brown. "They’re not as physically capable at the moment but they’re looking good, and come March-April they could be a chance like everyone else," he said. Of the highly-rated Menzel, who has had knee issues, Brown said: "He's a really exciting prospect and he's going really well, but given his history we certainly won’t be rushing him."

Burning: Simon White. After just 17 games in three injury-plagued seasons – including the last five of 2012 – the 24-year-old former rookie is finally gaining continuity on the training track and is gathering serious momentum. "He's flying," Brown said. "For mine, he's the one who's really stood out. He looks really strong, he's quick, his skills are good, and he's doing nearly every session. He's a good size, a real competitor, and Mick could play him at either end. If he stays injury-free, he'll be a terrific acquisition to the side."

Medical room: Just three Blues have been on restricted duties – Marc Murphy and Matthew Kreuzer, who both had minor knee surgery but are expected to be running when training resumes, and Andrew McInnes, who underwent a knee reconstruction after damaging his right knee in the round 22 loss to Gold Coast. McInnes is ahead of schedule and could be back into full training by March.

What we say: "A lot of it has been about the boys grasping how Mick wants them to play. There has been plenty of education on the way Mick wants to go about it, the structures and the set-ups, and reviewing training to iron out any kinks. And that will continue because the boys aren't going to grasp it all in one pre-season. Mick has spoken a lot, not just about the game plan but on his footy philosophies and his expectations of the team and individuals. Everything is going to plan so far" – assistant coach Gavin Brown.

NAB Cup schedule:
Round one: v Greater Western Sydney and Sydney Swans, Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday, February 24
Round two: v Fremantle, Etihad Stadium, Saturday, March 2
Round three: v Adelaide, AAMI Stadium, Friday, March 8