Answering fans' questions as part of an AFL.com.au Twitter takeover, Malthouse said Dale Thomas, Andrejs Everitt, Sam Docherty and draftee Patrick Cripps should all be in the mix for the Blues' round one clash with Port Adelaide on March 16.
Thomas says he is ready to test his troublesome ankle in the Blues' NAB Challenge campaign, while ex-Swan Everitt and former Brisbane Lion Docherty can also expect plenty of game time.
Cripps was taken by the Blues with pick No. 13 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft and the East Fremantle midfielder has trained strongly during the pre-season.
Check out the best of Malthouse's tweets below.
Mick's taken over and he's ready to answer your questions. Go! #AskTheCoach pic.twitter.com/PF3aqV4d15
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014. @BTFSTL Absolutely. It's only a matter of time before someone will get a player and he'll turn into hopefully something like Jim Stynes.
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@mark_pin Change is inevitable, and we at Carlton half suspected it would be reduced. Our numbers in '13 are similar to the '14 requirement
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@lutwyche_25 Levi Casboult and Tommy Bell have come back determined to increase their number of games played from 2013 #AskTheCoach
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@rexyblue Pleasingly, all are fit. Could be considered stronger than last year and are looking forward to the start of the season.
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@DrFrankenRant First-year players are unknown quantities, therefore NAB Challenge may sort some out #AskTheCoach
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@LachlanBotten Andrew's pre-Christmas training was excellent, and we're looking forward to that continuing before the season proper.
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@ayle_williams We would expect that all three will participate in the NAB Challenge, and put themselves in line for round one v Port
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@ric_tik I've always been a coach's man, and respect them all, but the man of the moment is the 63-year-old Pete Carroll #askthecoach
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@AdamMarzy30 We are a horses-for-courses team, but on ability and training, yes they do. #askthecoach
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@SpongeMario The best forward-line are multi-pronged. We're looking for an across the board goal-scoring team. #askthecoach
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@MattWalshMedia When he recovers from his minor operation, his position will be determined by the opponents we play #askthecoach
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@AFLDreamers Kade is one of the most courageous footballers I've seen, and he has an appetite to play wherever the team can benefit.
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@steve_lust The great thing about Andrejs, is his willingness to want to improve his football, therefore he becomes a multi-position player
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@brodyr86 …I respect all of my midfielders, though, so it's too hard to pick.
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014.@C_Filippo23 Great question. Easily answered. Both have capacity to play at either end and will be used accordingly. #askthecoach
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014Thanks for all the questions everyone and sorry if I didn't get to yours - Mick #askthecoach
— AFL (@AFL) February 4, 2014
