Inspired by the recent success of the Socceroos, Mick Malthouse has implemented a "no limits" approach at Carlton ahead of the 2015 AFL season.
When Socceroos coach and lifelong Blues supporter Ange Postecoglou visited training on Thursday, Carlton coach Malthouse urged his younger players to take their lead from the youthful Australian side that lifted the Asian Cup.
"You generally know what players at the top end are capable of, but when you've got young players there's no limit," Malthouse said.
"Ange has extracted that 'no limits' philosophy ... the advancement of young players in his side and how he's given them the opportunity to display a no limits approach."
Malthouse said he wouldn't be afraid to take a leaf out of Postecoglou's book after his bold plan to give opportunities to the likes of Massimo Luongo and Matt Ryan ahead of more seasoned veterans paid huge dividends.
"I take my hat off to anyone who's got the courage to play kids in preference to names," he said.
"It's easy to make an excuse that the older players weren't up to it, but you can't do that with kids. They're not interested - they just want to keep going and advance.
"I just think that you've got to be able to do that."
The Blues are set to give plenty of younger players and new faces a look in their first NAB Challenge hitout against West Coast with Malthouse likely to include Matthew Dick, Jason Tutt, Kristian Jaksch and Liam Jones, but former Giant Mark Whiley has a minor niggle and won't be considered.
"If they can grab hold of the same principles that Ange has injected into his Australian side - where they're not there to make up numbers, they're there to actually impose themselves - that's what I want our blokes to do," Malthouse said.
Carlton will face the Eagles in their NAB Challenge opener in Mandurah on February 27.
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