MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Matthew Kreuzer and Patrick Cripps (R) of the Blues looks dejected after defeat during the round 15 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 1, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

New faces: Carlton added more young talent to its list in the form of Paddy Dow, Darcy Lang and Matthew Kennedy who should all push to play Round 1 and possess the talent to make a real impact for the club in both the short and long term.

Aaron Mullett is an intriguing one, the rebounding defender picked up as a delisted free agent after a solid year at North Melbourne, and with the loss of Sam Docherty could be valuable as an attacking threat from half-back.

On the fringe: Carlton's array of talented youngsters means not all will get the opportunity at senior level when the playing group's at full health, with the likes of Tom Williamson, Zac Fisher, Jarrod Pickett and David Cunningham the most prominent young talents absent from the 22.

Mature age players Nick Graham, Cam O'Shea, Jed Lamb, Sam Rowe, Andrew Phillips and Matthew Lobbe could all push for selection throughout the 2018 season.

Potential 2018 best 22:

First picked: Matthew Kreuzer

Last picked: Dale Thomas

B: Caleb Marchbank, Liam Jones, Lachie Plowman
HB: Kade Simpson, Jacob Weitering, Ciaran Byrne
C: Matthew Kennedy, Ed Curnow, Sam Petrevski-Seton
HF: Sam Kerridge, Charlie Curnow, Darcy Lang
F: Matthew Wright, Levi Casboult, Jack Silvagni
FOL: Matthew Kreuzer, Patrick Cripps, Marc Murphy
I/C: Paddy Dow, Harry McKay, Aaron Mullett, Dale Thomas

*Sam Docherty not included due to injury