CARLTON’S preparations for AFLW 3.0 will ramp up this Saturday with a practice match at Ikon Park.

Starting at 11am, the Blues will host competition newcomers Geelong - a fortnight before Round 1 of the home-and-away season.

The game — which is the first under new coach Daniel Harford — will take place over four 20-minute quarters.

It will be the first chance for a new-look Carlton outfit to jell ahead of the season proper. Over the off-season, the Blues welcomed 11 new players to its list of 30.

Entry is free for supporters wishing to come down to Ikon Park for the game, with entry available from 10am via the main reception. The Carlton Cafe will be open from 9:30am.

Teams will be announced on the morning of the game.

The Blues will get their home-and-away campaign underway against North Melbourne in Tasmania on Sunday 3 February.