New face in the team: Jaryd Cachia

Congratulations to new Blue Jaryd Cachia, who was announced to replace an injured Andrew Carrazzo when Carlton take on Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

April Training - 24 04 2014

Carlton enjoyed its first post-victory training session this week, and the extra spring in the players’ step was an indication of how much the victory over in the west has meant to the club. After three close, competitive outings against highly rated opposition, the Blues were finally able to notch four valuable points and begin their respectable - if slightly delayed – climb up the ladder.

The players looked sharp on the track as coach Mick Malthouse put the boys through their paces, balancing his time between individual instruction and group drills. Malthouse’s guidance was complemented by his support staff of assistant trainers who led smaller groups of the Carlton list through various exercises across the expanse of a sun-drenched Visy Park.

Boundary-side, a select few players undertook restricted activities such as handball drills and non-contact disciplines in an effort to shake off various injuries and soreness. Among the group was ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, on the mend from a damaged thumb sustained against Geelong, as well as young defender Andrew McInnes, still on the road to recovery following last season’s knee reconstruction. Former captain Chris Judd also trained away from the main group, although Judd has participated in a modified fitness and training program for a number of years now.

Fresh from a convincing win in the VFL, regular senior defenders Jeremy Laidler and Nick Duigan both appeared desperate to reclaim their places in the first team with some impressive work during the extended hitout. Another standout from the 26 point victory over the Coburg Tigers was Blues hardnut David Ellard, who put in an energetic effort throughout the morning session.

A sight to warm the hearts of the Carlton faithful during this cold spell was the appearance of injury stricken key forward Jarrad Waite, competing at close to full capacity following a lengthy layoff. The big Blue looked strong and mobile as he pulled in mark after mark, and sent long bombs goalward.

Speedster forward Eddie Betts, sidelined with a broken jaw since Round 1, also looked lively on the track and was involved in heavy traffic training throughout the session, indicating that he cannot be far away from taking his place back in the team.

Of course, the Blues’ hierarchy aren’t going to want to rush anybody back too quickly; however the team list is finally beginning to look healthy once again.

One notable absentee from the main training group was midfielder Marc Murphy, however there were no indications of any injury concerns for the newly installed captain.

Here are some photos from Wednesday’s training session:

Heath Scotland pretends not to outrun Shaun Hampson

Mick instructs Shaun Hampson, drawing heavily on his own 15 goal career with St Kilda & Richmond

A game of tights vs shorts

Juddy & Kreuz: Taking it easy

Andrew McInnes attempts a high jump

Tommy Bell runs away with the ball

Nick Duigan kicks in from the back pocket

A rare shot of Chris Yarran not running

Jarrad Waite - not far away from a senior berth?

The boys gather under the iconic Legends Stand, Visy Park

Blues Training NAB Cup Round 3

Despite the temperature nudging the mid-30's, the Blues put in a solid final training session at Visy Park this morning, ahead of their Round 3 clash with the Adelaide Crows tomorrow night at AAMI Stadium.

The boys looked sharp during the drills, and coach Mick Malthouse seemed pleased with the effort.

Here are some photos from today's session:

Training gets under way in the heat

The coach provides some direction

Mitch Robinson looks in good form

Jeremy Laidler sets one up for Jamo

Andrew Walker plays big brother to Dylan Buckley

Simon White looks strong on the track

Dennis Armfield watches his long range shot

Mick and Simmo try some Hawaiian dancing

Simon White snaps one from outside the 50

Eddie shows Jeff Garlett how to goal on the run

Jeff shows Eddie that he knows how it's done

Kade Simpson gives himself the thumbs up

Levi Casboult taking one of his shots on goal

Eddie reaches for wide pass

Dylan Buckley lines one up from the pocket

MM jogs over to the playing group

Simmo celebrates a long bomb

Ed Curnow - excited that Big Sammie Rowe is about to fire out a handball

Kane Lucas guides one through - in front of a couple of admirers

Mick calls time on the session

Streets Ahead

The Blues took a stroll down iconic Lygon St, this week, deep in the heart of Carlton's original hometown.

In an effort to spend time connecting with both supporters and locals, a full regiment of players and coaching staff walked the three blocks along the shady, restaurant-lines street from Argyle Square, all the way to Elgin St, at which corner stands the famous 'Percy's' pub, owned and run by local identity and Carlton legend Percy Jones.

All of the Carlton players who took part in the now traditional walk down Lygon Street spent nearly two full hours chatting with fans, posing for friendly photographs and signing autographs for the many supporters who turned up to meet their idols.

High profile players such as Jarred Waite and Mitch Robinson gave impromptu interviews to television and print media crew, while others, such as second year player Dylan Buckley, and key defender Simon White manned the makeshift Carlton Membership table, set up under the trees in Argyle Square.

Senior coach Michael Malthouse, and his fleet of assistant coaches mingled with supporter while his charges took to the streets, stopping in shops and cafes to greet local business owners and fans.

Here are some more images from the afternoon:

Matty Kreuzer signs a fan's jumper

Marc Murphy breaks away from the pack

New Blue Troy Menzel

The boys pose for six different cameras

Mitch Robinson autographs a young fan's jumper without asking

Mitch and a fan wearing Navy, er...white

A fan helps Shaun Hampson with the spelling of his name

Jeremy Laidler signs for a young fan who obviously couldn't find Chris Judd

Ed Curnow, right before a bird flew out of his hair

Matthew Kreuzer rescues a young fan from a bin

Kade Simpson, fresh from a shave

Captain Carlton considers ordering the veal

An 8 year old kid dressed like Eddie Betts

Andrew McInnes uses Wikipedia to convince a fan that he's a Carlton player

And so would you