All eyes will be on No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering on Sunday but Carlton coach Brendon Bolton is keen to hose down expectations of the highly-touted key defender ahead of his first game for the AFL club.
The Blues will take on Essendon at Ikon Park, with fans keen to see Weitering and high-profile father-son recruit Jack Silvagni in action for the first time after they missed the club's opening NAB Challenge game.
"I think what we all need to understand is that the jump from the TAC Cup or under-18s is significant," Bolton said on Friday.
"It is a big jump but what we can say is that Jacob and all of our first-year (players) have applied themselves and have a real willingness to learn.
"We've just got to look for the little sprouts that they do well and be excited about the little moments - that's really important.
"The NAB Challenge is all about refining game plan, exposing guys and managing loads so I don't think that the pressure of the season-proper is there, but all those youngsters are really looking forward to their opportunity."
Young star Patrick Cripps has a sore knee and won't play but Bolton said the issue was not a cause for concern.
"He's had a bruised knee - he got a knock," he said.
"There's a fair few weeks left before round one so we're not going to risk him at this stage."
Skipper Marc Murphy and veteran utility Andrew Walker won't play against the Bombers either as they continue to manage their recoveries from shoulder and knee issues respectively.
Bolton is hopeful both will be available for the Blues' final pre-season game.
Carlton are looking for their first win of the pre-season campaign after falling to Hawthorn in an encouraging first-up display for Bolton's young side.
"We were really happy, particularly with our first quarter, and we also got really good workload into our players," he said.
"We didn't rotate them at all really, we hung them out there and they endured, so we think that when we set that up the right way we might get a better result."
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