RUCKMAN Robbie Warnock was outstanding in Carlton's rain-affected intra-club match on Saturday morning.

While the club's No.1 ruckman Matthew Kreuzer looked on, Warnock dominated on the waterlogged ground, staking his claim to grab that title from his restricted teammate.

Warnock's form brought a smile to the faces of the few fans who were at the ground and coaching staff, but with many experts predicting the new substitute rule will limit the opportunities of ruckmen in 2011, Kreuzer's feelings may have been conflicted.

The ex-Fremantle big man has been disappointing since arriving at Carlton two years ago, managing just 12 matches last season; however, with Kreuzer on the mend, the Blues could find themselves with a pleasant dilemma this year.

"Robbie went well today and we're looking forward to him having a fairly good season," Carlton assistant John Barker said.

Click here for Carlton's wet and wild intra-club gallery

As with the previous intra-club match, this game was spirited, highlighted by a scuffle between defender Paul Bower and forward Jarrad Waite.

Waite took issue with Bower after he ran into ruckman Shaun Hampson during the first half of the match. Hampson was unhurt in the incident.

"It's been tagged pretty heavily in the media with regards to our efforts and sometimes our lack of physicality," Barker said.

"They're good signs early in the season, but ... it's a long season and we expect consistency with that."

Despite the brief distraction, Waite played well, as did rookie Ed Curnow (from Box Hill Hawks), defender Michael Jamison and former Cat Jeremy Laidler.

"I think there's a few defenders who played pretty well today and 'Jammo' has been very good through the pre-season, and the fact he's had a full pre-season is going to help," Barker said.

"Waitey was a bit restricted before Christmas but he's been training with the main group for the past four or five weeks. He's played some good footy last week and he's getting himself into good form.

"[And] we were pretty happy with the way Ed Curnow went. With his work rate and his ability to find the ball, he's going to have some impact this year."

Coach Brett Ratten again experimented with Chris Yarran in defence and Andrew Walker was solid in attack.

"[The group] came through with flying colours," Barker said.

Captain and dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd did not play in the match, from which no injuries were reported. He was joined on the sidelines by Bryce Gibbs, Jordan Russell and Kreuzer.

"Kreuze is coming along well [after last season's knee surgery]. He's working hard on and off the track," Barker said.

Carlton begins its NAB Cup campaign next Saturday night against Collingwood and Richmond.