CARLTON will be forced to sweat on the outcome of next week's NAB Cup matches to see if it is still alive in the pre-season competition after succumbing to Collingwood by seven points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Following an 18-point win over Richmond in the first match of the night, the Blues fell just short of the Magpies in their second clash, going down 0.5.3 (33) to 0.3.8 (26) despite a spirited finish.

Carlton swung the changes for its second hit out with Eddie Betts, Bryce Gibbs, Michael Jamison and Shaun Hampson among the notable inclusions, with Heath Scotland, Rob Warnock, Marc Murphy and Jarrad Waite departing.

The raft of changes appeared to unsettle the Blues early, with Collingwood carrying the momentum of its big win over the Tigers into the first half.

Andrew Walker, warming to his new attacking role, slotted Carlton's first, but the Pies rattled through goals to Chris Dawes, Steele Sidebottom and Kirk Ugle to hold a well-earned 10-point lead at half time.

While the Blues struggled to match the intensity of their opponents early, they lifted in the second half of an entertaining contest, but still couldn't find enough regular ball winners to pull back the deficit.

David Ellard was his side's highest possession winner with nine touches with Walker outstanding with eight possessions and two goals.

Both sides exposed plenty of younger talent on the night with young Blue Kane Lucas one that particularly caught the eye.

Carlton will now play a waiting game to see if they are one of the two lucky losers who can progress to round two of the NAB Cup with superior percentage.

Carlton     0.1.4   0.3.8 (26)
Collingwood     0.3.2   0.5.3 (33)

GOALS
Carlton: Nine-point goals: Nil  Goals: Walker 2, Betts.
Collingwood: Nine-point goals: Nil Goals: Dawes, Ugle, Sidebottom, Krakouer, Blair.

BEST
Carlton: Walker, Ellard, Armfield, Lucas, Jamison, Robinson.
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Reid, Shaw, Blair, Macaffer.

INJURIES
Carlton: O'hAilpin (ankle)
Collingwood: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Schmitt, Stevic, Grun

Crowd: 40,300 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL