AN EYE-CATCHING performance by star ruckman Matthew Kreuzer was one of the highlights of Carlton's intra-club practice match on Friday.
Light rain during the first half made for tricky conditions at Visy Park, but Kreuzer's sure ball handling and deft tap work delighted the 1000-strong crowd that turned out to watch the Blues' first competitive hit-out of the 2012 season.
"He was outstanding on the deck … he's a bit like another onballer when the ball hits the deck," senior assistant coach Alan Richardson said.
"We were really pleased with Kreuze."
The 22-year-old looms as a key weapon for Carlton in 2012 after he was limited by his recovery from a knee reconstruction and a foot injury last season.
He got the better of Shaun Hampson at the centre bounces on Friday and also spent some time in attack, which Richardson said was a strategy they would employ with the talented big man during the season proper.
Several key players - including Chris Judd, Robert Warnock, Andrew Walker, Jarrad Waite and Chris Yarran - did not take part in the 80-minute match, but Richardson said all five would see action towards the end of the NAB Cup.
Despite some notable absentees, there was still plenty of talent on show with Marc Murphy, Mitch Robinson, Bret Thornton and Jeremy Laidler all putting in strong performances.
The star-studded navy blue team opened up a big lead in the first half and defeated the light blue team 12.8 (80) to 4.1 (25), but the score mattered little with several players swapping teams in the second half.
Richardson was pleased with the hit-out and was unconcerned with the lopsided scoreline as it had always been the intention to play more senior players in one team to help the coaching staff better review the game from a strategic viewpoint.
After struggling with injuries last season, Paul Bower, Jordan Russell, Kane Lucas and Brock McLean took positive steps with their participation in the match with Lucas, in particular, getting plenty of the ball.
Recent first-round draft pick Josh Bootsma was one of several young Blues who didn't take part, but second-year defender Matthew Watson held down the full-back position with poise and appears destined to add to the three senior games he managed in his debut season.
Jeff Garlett departed the match at three-quarter time, but Richardson said that had always been the plan and added there were no injuries to report.
Carlton opens its NAB Cup campaign against Adelaide and the Power at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, February 26, and looks set to take a relatively inexperienced squad to Adelaide.
"Ratts and the match committee are pretty keen for some young blokes to get some opportunities," Richardson said of the club's approach to the first round of the pre-season competition.
"We really want to see whether they're up to the level."
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