CARLTON star Bryce Gibbs appears on track for Thursday night's season-opening blockbuster against Richmond, and coach Mick Malthouse could unleash a pair of draftees on the big stage at the MCG, onballer Andrew Carrazzo says.
Gibbs injured his right shoulder when he copped a 'stinger' playing against Collingwood in the second NAB Challenge match at Bendigo on March 15.
The vice-captain didn't play in the Blues' final pre-season hit-out against Geelong, but has trained strongly since and with his shoulder strapped joined in the club's main session on Monday.
Important ruckman Robbie Warnock, who also injured his shoulder during the Pies clash, also trained on Monday in a bid to prove his fitness as the Blues look set to field a strong side against the Tigers.
"Bryce has trained pretty much straight from after that game up in Bendigo," Carrazzo told reporters at Ikon Park.
"I think Robbie will go through a test in the next couple of days to see if he gets up.
"Fingers crossed for those guys, they're doing everything they can to get out there and we certainly need them out there."
Carrazzo said Malthouse was also considering blooding mature-age recruit Blaine Boekhorst (pick 19 in last year's NAB AFL Draft) and tough nut Clem Smith (60) for the season-opener.
"They've fitted in really well. You can tell they've both got a really mature head on their shoulders," he said.
"In time, whether it's this week or another week – I know they're right in the mix for selection this week – it's going to be exciting to see those guys out there.
"I know our supporters want to see them out there and so do we. We want to see them out there playing and under the great pressure."
While Carrazzo admitted Richmond deserved the 'favourite' tag after its stunning nine-game winning streak to play finals last season, there had been an air of optimism at Ikon Park over summer.
The new-look Blues, who have lost the past two early season clashes against their arch rivals, are quietly confident of upstaging the Tigers, despite some outside expectations not matching Carlton's.
"It's certainly going to be a challenge for us and it's a huge stage – the whole country's going to be watching us," Carrazzo said.
"I suppose it's more validation for ourselves that the work we've put in … we can quantify that into victory.
"The expectations from the outside in the public (and) in the media, until you get far into the season, don't really mean a lot.
"We just need to prove to ourselves for our own culture and winning habits inside the club that we can win these big games."
Two Blues certain to be watching from the sidelines on Thursday will be ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (fractured foot) and speedster Andrew Walker (knee).
Kreuzer has finally shed his moon boot and was out on the track kicking with both feet in stationary skills drills on Monday after a tough pre-training session on the bike.
The big man is about a month away from resuming, while Walker is set to return within two to three weeks, Carrazzo said.
"He's back running now and we expect him to do some skill training this week.
"It's a bit of an embarrassment of riches to have him come back into the side two or three weeks into the season."
