CARLTON members will get to tune in for their AFL team’s first hitout on Thursday.

In conjunction with Essendon, the two teams will run a member-exclusive live stream on their respective websites from 11am.

The behind-closed-doors practice match will be the first time either side comes up against external opposition in 2021, with the game to take place exactly three weeks prior to Carlton’s season opener against Richmond.

The stream link will be provided to members closer to the game, with the potential to see Carlton’s six new Blues pull on the guernsey for the first time.

Full highlights will be uploaded to Carlton’s website and social media channels after the game, which will be available to the wider public.

Carlton Head of Football Brad Lloyd said the decision was made to bring Carlton members along for the ride with the 2021 season getting ever closer.

“We’ve missed our members at training this year and we were really keen to have them be part of the season build-up, especially with their commitment to the Club over the last 12 months,” Lloyd said.

“I know the players are really raring to go and given the restrictions over the summer, we know our fans have missed that chance to come down to Ikon Park. We wanted our members to get the chance to see our players in action given the circumstances.

“To get this live stream up is a great result and we hope as many of our members and supporters as possible can tune in on Thursday.

“We’re hoping to see as many of them as possible in person at our AAMI Community Series game against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium the following week, before our AFL year gets underway on Thursday 18 March against Richmond.”