CARLTON coach Brett Ratten is confident Brendan Fevola can put his latest indiscretion behind him to play a big part against Richmond in Thursday night's AFL season opener at the MCG.

Ratten admitted he was "rapt" to have his full-forward playing after the Blues opted not to suspend Fevola for urinating outside a nightclub in the early hours of last Saturday.

Carlton instead fined Fevola $10,000, dumped him from the leadership group, ordered him to undergo counselling and threatened him with the sack if he was ever again involved in an alcohol-related controversy.

Ratten, still chasing his first win as an AFL coach entering his first full season after six defeats last year as caretaker, said Fevola's penalty was "fair and square" and was confident his spearhead could put the disciplinary distraction behind him.

"He's a professional player, and I have full confidence in Brendan and his performance," Ratten said.

"Especially his form, his form's been red-hot.

"I don't think it's just the shots on goals that has been fantastic, it's his assists, the way he's competing and chasing and he's in nearly career-best form."

Ratten said Fevola had enjoyed a strong pre-season, highlighted by a return of 4.8 in the final practice game against the Western Bulldogs, and had, until last weekend, done everything right.

"He's had a blemish and he's remorseful and he's looking forward to playing Richmond," he said.

Ratten said Carlton wanted to move on from the controversy, and was confident the penalty was the right one, as a suspension would have only been a temporary measure.

"A suspension only lasts for one or two weeks," he said.

"This is ongoing and it's something that, from the club's point of view, we thought it was very important."