Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer was a standout in an otherwise depleted intra-club match for Carlton at Visy Park on Friday, nine days out from the start of the Blues' NAB Cup campaign.
Andrew Walker, Jarrad Waite, Robert Warnock, Lachlan Henderson, Chris Yarran, Nick Duigan, Michael Jamison and skipper Chris Judd were among a host of senior players who were either rested from the hitout or not quite ready to go.
All, however, are expected to figure some time during the NAB Cup.
Kreuzer dominated at the stoppages and around the ground during the 70-minute contest and looks ready to take his game to new levels after completing his first full pre-season since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament 18 months ago.
"He was outstanding on the deck, Kreuz," said assistant coach Alan Richardson.
"He's a bit like another onballer when the ball hits the deck."
"We were pleased with Kreuz ... he's flying."
Richardson singled out Paul Bower, Jordan Russell and Kane Lucas for special mention while Marc Murphy, Mitch Robinson, Bret Thornton and Rohan Kerr also played well.
Second-year defender Matthew Watson looked right at home on the last line and is shaping up as the perfect understudy for Jamison who's nursing a lower back injury.
"Given that Henderson and Jamison didn't play today, you can see we've got a bit of depth back there now with Jeremy Laidler and Nick Duigan into our club last year," Richardson said.
"There's some real competition for spots and we think that's pretty healthy."
"Watto's going to have to work really hard to get a game and that's the lot for most of our young blokes and we think that's a good thing."
Richardson said Judd (shoulder), Waite (hip) and Warnock (shoulder) have all been pencilled-in for Round 3 of the NAB Cup.
He expects the Blues to take a best-available approach to selection for Sunday week's NAB Cup tri-series matches against Port and the Crows.
"Primarily it will be picked on who's physically right to go, irrespective of their level of experience," said Richardson.
"If they're right, they'll play but 'Ratts' (coach, Brett Ratten) and the match committee are pretty keen for some young blokes to get some opportunities."
"We really want to see whether they're up to the level."
Richardson said Yarran and Walker should be available after being rested on Friday.
"We take statistics at training and he got the most possessions at our training session on Wednesday, only two days ago," Richardson said of Walker.
"He's just a little bit tight at the minute."
"He's had a massive pre-season so that was just a rest situation."