CARLTON recruits Liam Jones and Jason Tutt have wasted little time making an impression at their new club, with the former Western Bulldogs pair lighting up the training track so far this pre-season.
Speedy midfielder Tutt returned from the Christmas break in top shape and took out third place in the club's two-kilometre time trial on Friday.
Hard-running Ed Curnow claimed bragging rights, while big-bodied midfielder Tom Bell was runner-up.
Meanwhile, Jones received high praise from his new teammates Dylan Buckley and Dale Thomas this week.
Buckley said the 198cm tall forward's work ethic had stood out since he was traded to Visy Park in exchange for pick No.46 (Caleb Daniel) in last year's NAB AFL Draft.
"I think he's really going to add something to the team," Buckley told the club's website.
"I'm so impressed by all the work that he puts in off the field. He's so strong and fast. I can't wait to see him play."
Thomas said Jones was one of several key Blues big men who had stood out, including former No.1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer.
"I think Liam Jones has been very impressive since we've been out on the track," Thomas said.
"And I also think big Rob Warnock is running better than ever. He's covering the ground and obviously with his height he's going to be a valuable asset.
"Another one of the big boys, Matty Kreuzer, is looking fantastic and showing some of us little blokes up in the running – so he's flying, which is good to see."
Jones and Kreuzer are set to form part of a new-look attack for the Blues in 2015 following the departure of Jarrad Waite to North Melbourne.
Kreuzer was restricted to only one game last season, with a second bout of foot surgery sidelining the 200cm big man after round one.
But he appears to have shrugged off the issue this pre-season and was named Carlton's "trainer of the week" before the Christmas break.
Matthew Kreuzer with Blues coach Mick Malthouse. Picture: AFL Media
In more positive news for the Blues, star midfielder Thomas is yet to miss a session, in a sign he is over his ankle issues that have plagued him since 2012.
The former Magpie played 20 games as Carlton limped to 13th on the ladder last year, but struggled to find his best form after an interrupted pre-season.
"I've been enjoying it (this pre-season); it's the first one in a while I haven't been in the rehab group," Thomas said.
"I haven't missed a session thus far. Touch wood that I can continue to do that.
"I'm just really enjoying being back out there with the boys and setting some lofty goals, and we're working really hard to try and achieve them.
"The boys understand that there is a lot of hard work ahead of us.
"But we're all committed to putting our best foot forward and trying as hard as we can to make sure that come round one, we're ready to roll."
