CARLTON recruits Mark Whiley and Jason Tutt have staked their claims for a spot in Mick Malthouse's round two side after solid hit-outs in a VFL practice match on Good Friday.
 
Playing for the Northern Blues against Hawthorn affiliate Box Hill (which fielded no AFL players), Tutt and Whiley were the chief ball-winners in their side's 31-point loss - 7.8 (50) to 12.9 (81).
 
Working up and down the wing of Ikon Park, ex-Western Bulldog Tutt showed some of his customary dash which Carlton sorely missed in the second half of its 27-point season-opening loss to Richmond.
 
The 23-year-old collected 21 touches and also booted a goal after a quick snap in the fourth quarter.
 
After a slow start to his first game of 2015, Whiley caught fire in the second term when he racked up 10 disposals. The 22-year-old midfielder, who was traded by Greater Western Sydney last year, finished with 20 touches.
 
The Northern Blues outfit boasted 16 AFL-listed players, however they simply couldn't contain last year's beaten Grand Finalists.
 
Emerging on-baller Nick Graham ran tirelessly throughout the contest to finish with 21 touches for the Blues, while Dennis Armfield (16 possessions and a goal) was tough in the clinches.
 
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, pick 28 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, did some nice things off half-back and through the centre, with his piercing left-foot a highlight in a mostly scrappy affair.
 
During one passage of play the 19-year-old from the Western Jets burst through a tackle in the centre square and in one motion swung onto his left boot to deliver a daisy-cutting ball onto the chest of a teammate inside 50.
 
Fellow draftee Blaine Boekhorst was well held across half-forward.
 
Key forward Levi Casboult, overlooked by Mick Malthouse against the Tigers after playing 19 games and kicking 29 goals in 2014, booted one major and had a strong presence playing most of the match in the ruck.
 
Hawthorn held its AFL-listed players out of the match after a searching intra-squad practice match during the week.