SURVIVING a couple of “big hits” in the Blues game against Fremantle in South Africa has given Nick Stevens the confidence that he is ready for tomorrow night’s comeback match at AAMI Stadium.

Stevens will lead the Blues when they take on Port Adelaide in their opening NAB Cup clash. It will be his first AFL hit-out since he seriously injured his neck in round three of last season. That injury not only forced him to miss the rest of the year but raised serious queries over his future.

But the tough onballer has recovered well enough to be named Carlton skipper for the NAB Cup and remain one of the favourites to take on the job full-time. However, he said his main focus was making a successful return as a player.

“I haven’t really thought about the captaincy too much,” Stevens said in Adelaide today.

“For me it’s more about just getting back to playing footy, making sure I enjoy it out there and playing my comeback game.

“The nerves are no worries. I played over in South Africa and got through that no worries. Physically I couldn’t be in better shape than what I am at the moment, so I think I’m pretty ready to go.

“I’ve done plenty of competitive work and I copped some big hits in South Africa, which helped give me peace of mind.”

The Blues are historically strong-performers in the pre-season competition having won two of the past three NAB Cups. But Stevens said his young side was looking at the bigger picture in 2008.

“I think in previous years we’ve been ready to go in the NAB Cup rather than round one,” he said. “Sometimes that can be a good thing and sometimes it can be a bad thing.

“It hasn’t worked for us in the past and we’re looking at the bigger picture. But just because I’ve said that doesn’t mean we’re not going to go out there with our best side and try to win.”

While Port Adelaide has opted to rest key players, the Blues have named close to a full-strength side for the clash. Gun recruit Chris Judd, young gun Andrew Walker and former Brisbane Lion, Richard Hadley are the main absentees with injury.

Stevens said the hit-out against his former club was a good opportunity for the Blues to put the finishing touches on their new game plan.

“We’ve got five or six who aren’t playing tomorrow night but we’re trying to get our best side out there because we need to play together, learn the new game plan and make sure we put things in place for round one,” Stevens said.

“I think there will be a few differences in the game plan. We’re obviously still trying things and that is what these next four weeks are about.”

Number-one draft pick Matthew Kreuzer has been named to play against a Port Adelaide outfit which will be without No 1 ruckman Brendon Lade.

“Kreuze has done everything right and he’s been an exception coming in, seeing what he’s done and the way he’s gone about his footy,” Stevens said. “Physically I think he’s ready.

“He’s got a lot of pressure on him but he’s a great kid. He trains really hard and he’s done everything we’ve asked of him. I think he’ll go out there and be pretty competitive.”

Stevens said being competitive was the club’s aim for 2008 and their main focus would be on continual improvement.

“We haven’t spoken about how much pressure is on us a great deal. We want to improve and the club needs to improve, so that’s what we’re keen to do and it starts tomorrow night,” Stevens said.

“We want to put our best foot forward and make sure we get out there and improve. That means being competitive and that’s what we’re about.”