Prized recruit Sam Petrevski-Seton remains in contention to make his debut for Carlton in Thursday night's season opener against Richmond despite not playing a pre-season game.
Petrevski-Seton, 2016's No.6 draft pick, missed the entire JLT Community Series with a left quad strain, but has been cleared to play after more than five weeks of rehabilitation.
The Blues have to decide whether to play him against the Tigers or ease him back through a VFL practice game against Richmond on Thursday afternoon or a Northern Blues' development squad intra-club match on Friday.
Blues coach Brendon Bolton told reporters on Wednesday Petrevski-Seton was one of up to six players who could make their Carlton debut against Richmond.
"You'll see some new faces. I think you'll see somewhere around five to six guys that are in and around the age of 20 (play against Richmond)," Bolton said.
"They've bought some amazing excitement to our group."
Asked whether Petrevski-Seton was a genuine chance of debuting on Thursday night, Bolton said: "He's in the mix.
"He's had some good match practice. He's fit and ready for selection. We've got to determine whether or not we go with [him]."
Petrevski-Seton moved freely during the Blues' light pre-game training session on Wednesday morning and looked sharp during stoppage drills.
Recycled Giants Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett and Rhys Palmer, and former Cat Billie Smedts are all likely to make their club debuts against Richmond, while 2016 draftees Harrison Macreadie and, to a lesser extent, Cameron Polson and Zac Fisher are also in contention.
Bolton was excited to have A-grade midfielders Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Patrick Cripps all available for round one, given Murphy missed the final 12 games of last season with a syndesmosis injury in his right ankle.
With Murphy in the team, the Blues won five of their first 10 games in 2016, including a stirring victory over preliminary finalist Geelong.
But in his absence, Carlton won just two more games for the year.
Murphy completed his first full pre-season in about five years this summer. Having watched his near-flawless preparation, Bolton is confident his skipper, who turns 30 in July, can get back to his best in 2017.
"I think he will improve this year. A full pre-season, no interruptions and, touch wood, no more injuries, I think we'll see the best of Marc Murphy this year," Bolton said.
