CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has moved to temper the burgeoning optimism among the club's supporters, urging them to be patient with their young list.

With hopes sky-rocketing, due largely to the recruitment of West Coast star Chris Judd, No.1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer and the return from injury of gun midfielder Nick Stevens, Ratten pointed out most of the list was still very inexperienced.

Coming off finishes of last, last and second-last in the past three seasons, Ratten warned against expecting miracles.

"We need to still be patient as a club," the coach told a large crowd of fans at the Blues' family day at Princes Park on Sunday.

"We are moving forward but we have the youngest list in the AFL and the least experience with that as well.

"You'll see a lot of improvement from our players this year, individually and collectively, but still we'd like you to be patient.

"I think we can improve quickly.

"How quickly? I think that's up to us with our confidence that we can grow through this pre-season period and especially early in the year."

Still, Ratten admitted to excitement about many aspects of the club heading into the 2008 season, most notably the improved potential in the midfield.

Along with Judd's inclusion and Stevens' return, Ratten said 2005 No.1 pick Marc Murphy was set for a good year, after learning plenty from his first two AFL seasons, as well as bulking up noticeably over the pre-season.

He added that 2007 best-and-fairest Andrew Carrazzo was being overlooked in the hype over Judd and Stevens, but had the best summer of anyone on Carlton's list.

"Everyone keeps forgetting his name and he's had an outstanding pre-season," Ratten said.

Similarly, he said the return of ruckman Cameron Cloke, out with a shoulder injury since round six last year, would have more of an impact than most observers realised.

"Everyone talks about last year that we lost Nick [Stevens] and it was very unfortunate for the team," he said.

"But I think Cameron's influence too, the way he started the season [his absence] was a real hole ... it's very exciting to get him back in the team."

Meanwhile, Ratten said athletic 24-year-old utility Jarrad Waite would play as a permanent backman this year, after swapping between attack and defence last year.

"We need to settle him down at centre half-back," he said.

"He's got that athleticism, he can play on the [Nick] Riewoldts and the Jonathan Browns and beat them so I think we'll settle him down back."

And he said enigmatic star forward Brendan Fevola would take on more leadership responsibility.

"He's shown this pre-season all his behaviours and the way he leads the team on and off the field have really improved," Ratten said.

"I think we'll see a better rounded player this year in Brendan and maybe a little bit more team-oriented and he'll still hopefully kick a truckload of goals."

Ratten said ex-Brisbane recruit Richard Hadley was a fortnight away from playing after a pre-Christmas knee operation, while Andrew Walker was two or three weeks away after a shoulder operation.