CARLTON has received a boost ahead of its season-opening clash against Richmond on Thursday night with coach Mick Malthouse declaring vice-captain Bryce Gibbs, Chris Yarran and Robert Warnock would be fit to take on the Tigers.
Malthouse also said former Giant Kristian Jaksch would make his club debut on Thursday night, while the Blues were likely to name one or two debutants from their recent draftees.
Gibbs and Warnock both injured their shoulders playing against Collingwood in the Blues' second NAB Challenge match at Bendigo on March 15, and did not play in their final pre-season game against Geelong.
Both were listed as requiring fitness tests ahead of round one when Carlton released its official injury list on Tuesday, while Yarran suffered a virus last week.
But Malthouse told reporters on Wednesday that all three key players would be available for the Richmond clash.
Malthouse said Jaksch's looming club debut against the Tigers was not something he had considered likely when the former Giant approached him just before Christmas to ask whether he was in Carlton's best 22.
"If I had have been really frank with him at the time I would have said probably not, because we didn't know his capabilities," Malthouse said.
"As I said to him at the time, I want to see how he goes against some of the tall forwards and I want to see how he goes perhaps against some of the key backs because I know he can play forward and he's done a pretty good job back (in the NAB Challenge).
"So I feel pretty confident that we've got a player of the future, and he's pretty excited about representing the club.
"He's got a small frame, he knows he's got to put some weight on and get some experience, but (he's) a kid that wants to learn, and that's fantastic for us."
Malthouse said one or two of the Blues' younger players were also "worthy of selection" against Richmond.
Carlton's first pick in last year's national draft Blaine Boekhorst (No. 19 overall) and Clem Smith (No. 60) appear to be the leading contenders among the Blues' recent draftees after playing all three of their NAB Challenge games.
The three-time premiership coach had no concerns that Dale Thomas would miss Thursday night's game because of the impending birth of his first child, who is due next Wednesday.
“It won’t come early; I’m assured it won’t come early,” Malthouse said lightheartedly.
Malthouse was optimistic that round one would be the start of a fruitful career at Ikon Park for former Western Bulldogs forward Liam Jones.
The Blues have worked with Jones on his marking technique this pre-season and Malthouse believes the "very powerful, extremely quick" forward can bring unique attributes to the Carlton attack.
"We’ve got great faith he’ll be a good player for us," he said.
"Are you going to say (he's) a 100-goal full forward? No. If he can get to 40, a couple a game, I think that’s probably the first step, and (being able to) contribute in other areas."
