Bombers coach Matthew Knights has made six changes for his side's crucial round three clash with its arch rival as it attempts to notch its first win in 2010.
While Mark McVeigh (illness) and Angus Monfries (quad) were compulsory omissions for Essendon, Knights lost patience with four others as the coach seeks a winning formula.
But Carlton assistant coach Robert Harvey, despite insisting players were not interested in the past, said his team was still wary of one that has had the wood on the Blues in recent seasons.
"They're all pretty fast, they're all pretty talented," Harvey said of the Bombers' line-up on Friday morning.
"[There's a] lot going out, a lot coming in and we see a heap of talent and pace coming in, so that concerns us as well."
Essendon dropped polished midfielder Brent Prismall, pacy forward Alwyn Davey, defender David Myers and elevated rookie Ben Howlett.
It will blood two debutants against the Blues - Jake Melksham and Travis Colyer.
But while Bombers fans are excited about seeing that pair, Carlton supporters - and midfield coach Harvey - are watering at the mouth at the prospect of seeing the Blues unleash their own first-round draft pick from last year.
Kane Lucas, the no.12 pick from the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, is the only change from the Carlton side that fought bravely against the Brisbane Lions last week, and he will play his first game in the navy blue on Saturday night.
"He's got great speed but I think his attitude's probably the best part about him, his willingness to learn," Harvey said.
"He's got all the attributes of a midfielder … and he's got some great guys around him to learn from and he's shown every sign that he wants to learn off them.
"He was pretty close round one, he's been talked about from our point of view right from the start.
"He's still got areas to go in his game but it's great for him to make his debut in such a big game and big stage … I think he'll acquit himself well on Saturday night."
