IMPORTANT Carlton pair Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola have shrugged off injury concerns and will face the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
Captain Judd missed a training session early in the week with the 'flu and Fevola has carried a sore heel for weeks now, but assistant coach Brett Montgomery dispelled any doubts about their availability.
"They'll certainly both train and we expect them to play," Montgomery said from Visy Park on Friday shortly before the pair completed a half-hour session.
"Like I said about Brendan last week, we expect them both to play and play well.
"[Fev's foot] has improved and he's happy with the way it's going. He's always a bear with a sore head when he's got an injury and that's no surprise, but it's coming along slowly. Those types of injuries do, but they don't hamper your performance on game day.
"I think the saving thing [with Judd's illness] was that it happened so early in the week and, with the nine-day break, it's really turned out well for us. He was never in doubt for this week's game. He's managed himself really well."
Carlton's match committee sprang something of a surprise on Thursday when it opted not to bring back highly-regarded midfielder Shaun Grigg and utility Andrew Walker.
Both missed round one, but were available for selection this week.
Instead they will play for the Northern Bullants this weekend and Montgomery said it was a sign of how far the squad had come.
"It sends a powerful message to the group that no ones a walk-up start," he said, adding both had done all they could to earn a spot.
"It's a great position for the club to be in. Certainly we weren't in that position very often last year where we had numbers to pick from. We're really pleased with the group and where we're at.
"If that means guys like Shaun have to wait a little longer then so be it."
The Blues broke an eight-game losing run against the Lions in round 21 last year and Montgomery expected another tough contest despite the change of senior coach.
"They're still chipping away at what they want to achieve," he said. "To go from the lowest possession side in the competition and being very efficient to starting to get near the 400 to 420 touches a week is a massive change.
"Whether it's an improvement I'm not too sure, but there's one thing about the Brisbane side that will never change. Whether it's under Michael Voss or Leigh Matthews, they'll always be great inside, be hard and tough and they'll tackle well. We expect no different."
With the game to be played under the roof at Docklands, the Blues escaped Melbourne's torrential rain on Friday afternoon and trained at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
