PATRICK Cripps has found his understudy. And his name is Sam Walsh.

Carlton's top draft pick produced another exciting example of his immense skill and potential on Thursday night, starring alongside new co-captain Cripps as the rebuilding side held off Essendon by nine points in the JLT Community Series opener at Ikon Park.

The teenager finished with 28 disposals and eight inside 50s, playing a lead role as the Blues' talented next generation of midfielders delivered a stirring preview of what could be to come in a suddenly narrow 15.10 (100) to 14.7 (91) win.

BLUES ON FIRE Full match coverage and stats

Walsh oozed class as he continued an impressive first pre-season at AFL level, with his superb disposal and innate ability to find the footy displayed throughout the evening.

His work ethic, underlined by a series of overlapping runs and chase-down tackles in oppressive heat that hovered at around 36 degrees all night, typified the elite professionalism Carlton officials have spent the summer raving about when it comes to the youngster.

WATCH Blue's brilliant debut

It came as Essendon reduced Carlton's lead from 37 points early in the third term, to three points late in the final quarter, only to fall narrowly short of a dramatic comeback.

Cripps (33 disposals, two goals) led the way in his first official outing as the club's new skipper, while fellow youngsters Zac Fisher (26 disposals) and Paddy Dow (19 disposals) also produced impressive displays in what was a satisfying night for those in Carlton colours.

Together, the young group formed a formidable midfield partnership that overcame the test of their vastly more experienced Essendon counterparts.

The Bombers' side featured returning trio Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett and Devon Smith, who all overcame respective summer injury setbacks, along with new addition Dylan Shiel.

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The highly regarded recruit from Greater Western Sydney, who nearly landed at Ikon Park during the NAB AFL Trade Period, started forward but soon moved into the midfield where he finished with 15 classy disposals before spending the majority of the final term on the bench after copping a corkie to his knee.

Instead, it was young gun Andrew McGrath who inspired the late Essendon comeback, playing permanently through the midfield where he won 25 touches and kicked two goals.

His dash and ability to execute forward of centre were particularly impressive, with the former No.1 draft pick set for a larger onball stint in season 2019.

Heppell (hamstring), Merrett (ankle) and Smith (biceps) all played just a half, but got through unscathed in what was another promising step in their recoveries.

Joe Daniher was another on the comeback trail, returning from almost a year out of the game with debilitating problems with osteitis pubis.

However, despite kicking the game's first goal from a strong mark inside the opening minute, he struggled with the speed of the game and was withdrawn at three-quarter time.

Instead, the majority of the action was coming at the other end of the field.

Mitch McGovern, in his first official game as a Carlton player, took a number of nice grabs and kicked two goals in support of talented young duo Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

The Blues also unearthed another forward gem in rookie recruit and former VFL star Michael Gibbons, who looked lively alongside his far taller compatriots.

Gibbons kicked two goals with his first two kicks, before adding another from a clever crumbing opportunity as the Blues continued to extend their lead after half-time.

Alongside fellow small David Cuningham, who also finished with three majors for the evening, Carlton found an impressive forward mix to match a midfield group on the move.

WHAT WE LEARNED
Carlton: The Blues can score. If you've got McGovern, Curnow and McKay, opportunities are going to come. Throw in Cripps pinch-hitting and Gibbons and Cuningham roving and there's a fair chance they'll start taking those opportunities. Carlton had 63 inside 50s and 25 scoring shots for the game and looked far more aggressive with its ball movement.

Essendon: McGrath must play midfield. Having spent large portions of his career so far off half-back, a permanent role out of the centre beckons. And it must be followed through with. Easily Essendon's best throughout the night, the former No.1 draft pick influenced with his ability to step out of trouble and hurt opponents with his breakaway speed. 

NEW FACES
Carlton: Walsh was the standout for the Blues in the midfield, while Gibbons kicked three goals in a lively performance as a forward. McGovern flew at everything and finished with two majors for the match, while Setterfield grew into the game and ultimately proved one of Carlton's best with 19 touches. Newman was also impressive across half-back, finishing with 17 kicks for the match.

Essendon: Shiel finished with ice on his knee, but was one of Essendon's best before that and had 15 disposals through just over two quarters. Clarke rucked throughout the entirety of the game and looked solid, also moving forward to impact on the scoreboard. Jok drifted in and out of the match, but showed glimpses of his upside.

FANTASY WATCH
Will Setterfield (MID/FWD, $251,000) looks a fantastic cut-price option. He played largely through the midfield, working his way into the game and finishing with 95 AFL Fantasy points. 

NEXT UP
Carlton heads to Morwell on Labour Day Monday to face Collingwood in its second and final JLT match, while Essendon goes to GMHBA Stadium next Thursday night to meet Geelong.

CARLTON        5.4     7.6    12.10    15.10 (100)
ESSENDON     4.1     4.5      8.6         14.7 (91)

GOALS
Carlton: Gibbons 3, Cuningham 3, McGovern 2, Cripps 2, Lobbe, Dow, C.Curnow, J.Silvagni, McKay
Essendon: Brown 3, Stringer 3, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, McGrath 2, Clarke, Baguley, Daniher, Laverde

BEST
Carlton: Cripps, Fisher, Walsh, Weitering, Newman, Cuningham, Gibbons
Essendon: McGrath, Stringer, Brown, Ridley, Shiel, Hurley

INJURIES
Carlton: C.Curnow (cramp)
Essendon: D.Shiel (corked knee), T.Jok (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Meredith, Gianfagna, Mollison, Foot

Official crowd: 8215 at Ikon Park