MARC Pittonet is counting down the days for a Carlton debut: the only debate is how many days that would be.
The new Blue has slotted in well in his new surrounds of Ikon Park, bolstering a ruck division containing Matthew Kreuzer, Tom De Koning and the versatile Levi Casboult.
All eyes turned to those ruck stocks in Round 1, when Kreuzer went down with a foot injury which would sideline him for four months.
Speaking to Carlton Media, Pittonet said that while the loss of Kreuzer “left a big hole”, he was confident that the remaining trio could fill the void.
“We saw how good Levi was in Round 1, he came in and played a really good game,” Pittonet said.
“My work with big ‘King’ [Tom De Koning] has been really exciting. We’re such different players that complement each other really well and make each other better.
“Between the three of us, we’ll do our best. We’ll see what we can do, it’s pretty exciting moving forward.”
If he was to get an opportunity, the former Hawk will lap it up.
He said the opportunity to pull on the Navy Blue jumper was something he has been wanting to do since his first conversation with David Teague, and that has only grown in recent months.
Seemingly on the cusp of selection prior to the season’s postponement, Pittonet detailed his disappointment of the delay.
“I was probably one of the flatter people when they cancelled the season,” he said.
“The longer I’ve been at the Club, the more I’ve got to know the history and how everything is and where we’re at — the more I can’t wait to pull on that jumper and really play.
“I got a little taste but it doesn’t count as much in the [Marsh Community Series].”
Along with Lochie O’Brien, Sam Philp and Tom Williamson, Pittonet was present at the season opener, with emergencies permitted to be at the ground.
Chancing his arm as the unofficial member of the Carlton Cheersquad, Pittonet said it was a “bizarre” experience.
“I was really flat: I wanted to sit behind the goals and try and get the boys up and about and do the Cheersquad proud,” he said.
The @CFCCheersquad has a new recruit...#OwnTheFuture #AFLTigersBlues pic.twitter.com/zqRp3KHNUu
— Carlton FC (at ??) (@CarltonFC) March 19, 2020
“Unfortunately, security got me to move.
“To actually see people kick goals and celebrate and then before the ball would get bounced, there’d be a period of quiet. You’re looking around going ‘Is this a real match?’.”
While there’s still doubt about when exactly Round 2 will be, most in the football world cannot wait.
Pittonet is no exception.
“We’ve got some hope that it’s going to be back pretty soon: motivation is through the roof,” he said.
“I’m like a little kid.”