CARLTON is open to creating the 'Land of the Giants' in 2020.

The Blues appear set to again favour a three-pronged tall forward line this season. But they also won't rule out the possibility of playing dual rucks following the impressive signs displayed by new recruit Marc Pittonet and youngster Tom De Koning this summer.

Matthew Kreuzer remains the incumbent No.1 ruckman at Ikon Park and, despite undergoing a minor heart procedure a fortnight ago that ruled the veteran out of a scratch match against Collingwood, there has been little change on that front this pre-season.

Meanwhile, forward pair Levi Casboult and Harry McKay remain capable deputies who can provide Kreuzer with a valuable chop-out option while performing their duties in attack.

Now, Pittonet and De Koning are leaving Carlton coach David Teague with a headache.

"It's just what works for our group," Teague told AFL.com.au.

"It's exciting. We've got three very different ruckmen, which is great.

"Marc's ability to compete and hit bodies … when the ball hits the ground, the midfielders love him because he's knocking over guys and creating a path.

"We all know Matt's ability to follow up and move around the ground and impact.

"Then you've got Tom, who has got an elite jump at centre bounces and is a strong mark around the ground. His follow-up work is starting to really grow as well.

"They're three different ruckmen, so it's giving us a good challenge. Where they sit right now, there are no standouts. That's the pleasing thing for us. They've all got their strengths and we're continuing to encourage them to bring their strengths.

"Which way we go, I reckon the next few weeks will impact that.

Pittonet, who featured seven times across five years for the Hawks before crossing to Ikon Park during the Telstra AFL Trade Period, has put himself in the frame for round one following a strong summer where his aerial and ground work has excelled.

But, in the wake of key attacking trio McKay, Charlie Curnow and Mitch McGovern enduring injury-plagued summers, De Koning's ability to play as a natural forward could swing the ledger in his favour to partner the 31-year-old Kreuzer out of the centre.

Carlton's plans during its lead-in to round one have shed little light on which way it will go.

In a practice match win over Collingwood a fortnight ago, played over seven intervals without Kreuzer, Pittonet played for the first four periods and was competitive against Brodie Grundy while De Koning played the final three stanzas and also impressed.

With all three in action during Saturday night's 47-point Marsh Community Series loss to Fremantle, the duties were again evenly shared with Teague giving little away.

De Koning (51 per cent game time) was used forward alongside Casboult, but rucked intermittently, while Kreuzer (43 per cent game time) and Pittonet (40 per cent) played a half each and spent the bulk of their time on the field playing solely in the ruck.

All three showcased their own individual assets, which has Teague and the Blues excited.

However, with the club not ruling out the possibility of playing dual rucks this year, it could equate to a change in role for others within the forward line – notably, Casboult.

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After he played as the second ruckman last season, Casboult has returned to training with the forwards group and has impressed this summer. He kicked four goals in the victory over the Magpies, while he added one major from five marks in the heavy loss to the Dockers.

As the club gears up for round one without Curnow – and perhaps even without McKay, who is still battling a groin injury – Casboult could be used as a permanent forward.

"Levi is as good as any second-ruck in the competition," Teague said.

"But we can play two (ruckmen) if we just leave Levi as a permanent forward.

"If it means you can leave Levi as a permanent forward or a permanent back and you have someone else who could play that second ruck role, we could definitely do it."

Then there's McKay. Still touch-and-go to make the club's round one bout with Richmond, Carlton believes the aerobic and athletic forward can also add another point of difference as a potential pinch-hit ruck option should he be called upon when he eventually returns.

"He's taller than any of our ruckmen, which is quite exciting," Teague said.

"We got the players to line up tallest to shortest the other day and he walked straight to the end. I said, 'Harry, what about the ruckmen?' He replied, 'I'm actually taller than them'.

"It turns out he was, which surprised me. I just didn't expect that, so we've also got Harry who can ruck as well."

It leaves Carlton with a tough decision in picking from Kreuzer, Pittonet and De Koning.

With a clean bill of health, the Blues also have to factor in taller forward options like McKay, Curnow, Casboult and McGovern – as well as Jack Silvagni and Matthew Kennedy, who the club considers marking targets that can play above their 194cm and 190cm frames respectively.

Such a debate poses two questions: How many? And who?

It's a conundrum Teague will no doubt be pondering over the coming weeks. 

LAND OF THE GIANTS – CARLTON'S TALL TALENT

204cm – Harry McKay
203cm – Tom De Koning
202cm – Marc Pittonet
200cm – Matthew Kreuzer
199cm – Levi Casboult