ALTHOUGH their bodies are still aching from the epic victory over Collingwood at the MCG, Geelong's players are now firmly focussed on their next big clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The Cats, who are the AFL's only undefeated team, were put through a solid training session at Skilled Stadium on Tuesday as they prepare for the fourth-placed Blues.

Cameron Ling has largely recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered against the Magpies, yet Geelong coach Chris Scott is taking a cautious approach with his skipper.

"He was a little bit sore so he's no certainty to play, but we're hopeful," Scott said.

Forward Cameron Mooney (knee) is a chance to return, while fellow veteran Darren Milburn, who was a late withdrawal from the team that beat Collingwood due to a back problem, "is looking promising" according to Scott.

Geelong has lost two of its past three games against Carlton. Last year, the Cats were beaten by 36 points in round five at the MCG when small forwards Eddie Betts and Jeff Garlett bagged seven goals between them.

While Geelong rebounded to beat the Blues by 42 points at Etihad Stadium later in the season, and had the better of them in a practice match at Visy Park in March, doubts remain over whether the Cats' backline has the pace to keep Betts and Garlett under control.

"Etihad's a very fast track," Scott said. "We expect the ball to move up and down pretty quickly.

"But Carlton have changed the way they play a little bit as well. I think they're defending pretty well. They're certainly tackling very well.

"We think that Carlton is going to finish up towards the top of the ladder this year, as much as we can predict so far, so it's another good challenge for us."

Given the death of club legend Bob Davis, and the fact Geelong was part of such a huge game against Collingwood last week, Scott will be working to ensure his players are not mentally fatigued before they take on the Blues.

"There's a concern, but the challenge for us is to make the build-up as big, internally, as it was for last week," he said.

"The reality is that for big games, the external build-up's probably too big, so we've just got to make sure we balance that out a bit."

The Cats are expecting to rest ruckman Brad Ottens in the near future.

"We're on record as saying we don't expect him to play every game this year," Scott said.

"He's pulled up well from the game, and he's in pretty good shape, but … we're just going to have to assess it as we go."

The need for Ottens to have a break at some stage means the door will soon open for emerging big man Nathan Vardy to make his AFL debut.

Selected with pick No.42 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, Vardy has been very impressive in the VFL so far this season.

"He can't get much closer," Scott said of the 19-year-old's prospects of lining up against Carlton.

"Our VFL team have got a bye this week, so he doesn't get his chance to press again if he doesn't play AFL footy.

"But he's going to play in the next three or four weeks. I guarantee it."

Adam McNicol covers Geelong news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol