Carlton is poised to regain superstar defender Jacob Weitering for this Friday night’s clash with Geelong.
The Blues have won their past two matches since the sudden departure of Michael Voss but face one of the sternest tests in the competition in the Cats at the MCG.
Weitering has been out of action with a calf injury but interim coach Josh Fraser is optimistic he will have the brilliant backman available.
“He’ll train today and we’re hoping he’ll be okay to put his hand up,” Fraser said on Wednesday.
“He trained on Saturday whilst we were in Adelaide and got through the session well, we’re hopeful he’ll get through today.
“They’ve got some big forwards, he’s important to us – not only his performances but also his leadership. We’ll consider what that looks like post-training.”
Carlton will need Weitering and the best of Harry Dean if it is to navigate Geelong’s uber-threatening forward line.
Dean has played nine games for the Blues this season, collecting match-ups typically foreign to first-season players.
Fraser sings the praises of Dean but insists there’s not enough of it happening outside the four walls.
“I’m not sure Harry is getting enough credit externally, I think he’s been outstanding,” he said.
“He had a big job last week, he’s had a big job most weeks and he’s doing a terrific amount of work for us.
“He plays with a maturity above his age, he brings a competitive edge to what we’re doing on-field.
“I’ve loved the start to his career, I think Carlton supporters should be pretty excited about the way his career is going to unfold.”
Carlton has won more in the past fortnight than it did in the first nine rounds under coach Voss.
But Fraser is quick to suggest it’s an evolution in energy and education more than a change.
“I like to think we’ve evolved more than we’ve changed,” he said.
“When you evolve, there are natural changes with what you do, but there’s been a strong foundation built.
“We’ve been able to consider what that looks like moving forward: some of the changes have been game day, some of it has happened Monday to Friday with where we’re putting our energy and where we’re educating.
“It’s evolving. We’ve got a lot more steps in front of us, but there have been encouraging signs so far.”
