Barring a handful of senior bodies, it was all systems go for Carlton on day one of the pre-season for 2024.
Outside of captain Patrick Cripps, Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow, match-winning winger Blake Acres, ruckman Marc Pittonet and midfield brute Matthew Kennedy, all Carlton players made their presence felt in a session lasting over two hours.
On a day which was technically only meant to have the first to fourth year players involved, Michael Voss cut a pleased figure with the plethora of senior bodies on the park.
“The expectation was for them to not start until next week,” Voss said at IKON Park this morning.
“It’s been somewhat different for our group watching others start when we’re not, but we’ve played in the important weeks we want to play and we want to continue to figures in those weeks.
“To be able to have them back and see them energized and keen to come back on their own choice is particularly pleasing.”
What would also please Carlton fans and is seeing injury-prone players on the track for first session.
Caleb Marchbank, Jack Martin, David Cuningham, Mitch McGovern and Zac Williams all impressed on the track in various ways.
Williams was involved in bits and pieces of ball play, but Voss confirmed the talented half-back would be due back to full training in February.
“He is progressing as expected,” Voss said.
“If we just use the timeline of his injury as a bit of a guide, he should be back to full fitness by the first week of February.
“He’ll slowly start to join into the skills program within the next month.”
Williams will be a welcome addition to a team who struggled with ball movement and defensive form in the first half of 2023, before embarking on an incredible run of winning momentum to set up a huge 2024.
Voss was adamant the clear signs of what works and what does not work for his playing group became evident after their Preliminary Final berth and exit.
Managing and weighing up lofty expectations heading into a new season will be a new challenge for a group which only had its first taste of finals this year.
“There will be some greater expectations placed on what we do,” Voss explained.
“What we have learnt during that time (2023 season) is keep our eyes in front and make sure we get the work done.
“We still feel like we’ve get plenty of growth left in us both from a system and individually.”
From an individual perspective, new recruits Orazio Fantasia and Elijah Hollands participated in the session with an eye to adding some prowess on the attacking front.
First-year draftees Ashton Moir, Billy Wilson, Matthew Carroll and Irish recruit Rob Monahan also found their feet on the track for the first time as Carlton players.
The full list of players is expected back next week as they prepare for the newly-announced Opening Round clash against Brisbane at the Gabba on March 8 next year.