JACK Riewoldt thought he had "created a monster" when he pushed Patrick Cripps forward with enormous success in the AFLX tournament, but the Carlton captain says his mindset is still that of a midfielder going into season 2019.

Cripps has been steadily building his forward craft in recent years, using his 195cm frame to great effect at times last season in a campaign that produced 11 goals, the highest tally of his career.

He continued to demonstrate his improved poise in front of goal throughout the JLT Community Series, kicking two goals in both of Carlton's games against Essendon and Collingwood.

However, despite his ability to mark overhead and hit the scoreboard consistently, the Blues are set to persist with an 80-20 split for their new skipper ahead of the upcoming campaign.

"You still have to remember what your best position is," Cripps told AFL.com.au.

"We've got some really good forwards up there now, with the three big guys and with the good range of different and versatile options.

"I'll go down there every now and then to chip in, but it will be more as a rest period instead of going to the bench. I did that a bit last year, but not as much as I would have liked."

Cripps kicked goals in eight of 22 games last season but wants to build upon that number playing alongside a likely more potent Carlton attack this season.

"You've just got to learn how to play the role," Cripps said.

"As a younger guy, I always played midfield so that came naturally. I'm learning to play forward now. If you put enough time into any craft, you get better at it.

"It's something I definitely enjoy, but I still feel like I'm better off in the midfield. When I go forward, though, I know I'm good enough to have an impact."

Carlton could have more freedom to throw Cripps forward in 2019, with the Blues having gradually built more depth through the midfield in recent years.

Will Setterfield and Sam Walsh will join a young onball group that also features Zac Fisher, Paddy Dow, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Matthew Kennedy and David Cuningham this season, lessening the intense burden on Cripps' shoulders last year.

"There was responsibility last year, but I never go in with that mindset," Cripps said.

"I just go out there with the cards I'm dealt and play.

"We had the talent there last year, it's just about getting them confident enough to play at AFL level. They've got another pre-season under their belt now, so it's a whole new dynamic in there and I'm really excited about what the midfield will achieve.

"We had some really good results in the first two JLT games as a group and we'll keep building as the year goes on."