BRENDON Bolton didn't manage a win from his first match in charge of the Blues, but in his approach to Thursday night's NAB Challenge match against Hawthorn, the Carlton coach clearly had an eye on the bigger picture.

After an impressive opening term that saw them lead at the first break, the Blues were eventually overwhelmed by an experienced Hawthorn side and went down to the tune of 21 points.

But Bolton told reporters in Launceston he got what he wanted from the game as he prepares his side for the new interchange cap of 90 rotations in the home and away season.

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"What our members should know is we had 78 rotations and I think the Hawks had 134 or 135, something around that," he said.

"That was deliberate. We wanted to really push our players today, make them endure.

"We hung them out a bit, we left them out there and didn't rotate regularly.

"It's just we're into a really strong conditioning block at the moment and we wanted to make sure this game was part of that.

"We know the rotations are limited this year so we think it will pay us back at some point."

Among the most impressive Blues in Launceston was Sam Kerridge, the former Crow proving his worth in a navy blue jumper with 28 disposals and seven tackles.

But even that wasn't enough to earn more than passing praise from Bolton in a sign the rookie coach already holds his players to a very high standard.

"It was good 'Daisy' (Dale Thomas) got through a game after a big pre-season and Kerridge adds a bit of run for us as well," he said.

"There’s lots of little sprouts but we have to keep building on our consistency, no doubt.

"I think (Kerridge) has got a really good engine, he can run, so he played a little bit on the inside and the outside. I think it's a pass mark for him first up."

Hawthorn assistant coach Adem Yze conceded his side had taken longer than he would have liked to get into their groove.

They were jumped early by the pumped-up Blues, but once they gained control of the ball there was only ever going to be one winner on the night.

"Obviously it's the first NAB Challenge game and I thought it took our boys a little bit of time to get going," he said.

"Early on Carlton showed where the intensity needed to be and after quarter-time we started to match it and play the way we like to play."

Yze also hinted at a return for star forward Jack Gunston when the Hawks take on Richmond in their second NAB Challenge match as they seek the right forward balance in Jarryd Roughead's long-term absence through injury.