Injured Carlton pair Will Hayward and Nick Haynes are no guarantee to return for the club's Wildcard Round clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.
Hayward and Haynes are both recovering from ankle injuries, which they sustained in Round 23 against the Western Bulldogs, and remain a test for the match.
Carlton coach Josh Fraser was questioned on Thursday as to whether the duo would be brought in for the must-win clash.
“(I'm) hopeful. Both will train today and seem to be tracking the right way. Anything can happen in a main session; we'll make an assessment with where they sit post-training. Both seem to be tracking in the right direction," Fraser said.
“There's fit to play and fit to perform - they need to be fit to perform. The load and the toll it puts on the group if they're not able to get through is too great, particularly with the way the game is played at the moment. We need to be comfortable and confident that they can perform.”
Carlton's brilliant turnaround in fortunes has been highlighted by several young guns emerging in 2026.
Jagga Smith and Harry Dean in particular were celebrated on Tuesday night at the AFL Awards, with Smith receiving the Rising Star gong and Dean winning the AFL Players' Best First Year Player.
Fraser said the Blues are privileged to have a gluttony of young talent in their squad.
“Jagga has had a very consistent season. You see what you see on the weekend, but his character in the building, he's just a terrific young man that's going to be a great leader of this football club," he said.
"And Harry Dean has already attached himself to our supporters; he's a cult hero already, and we love having him at the club.
“(The awards night) was fantastic. Even to have Billy Wilson and Talor Byrne there as Rising Star nominees, I've spoken about the excitement of our young players.
"Those are the guys that have had nominations, but there are a lot of others we're really excited about. Jack Ison has played football this year that I'm excited for.
“I'm really excited about our young group and proud that they were acknowledged the way they were earlier in the week.”
Fraser will come up against a fellow former ruckman in the coaches' box on Saturday night, Demons coach Steven King. The pair have both had outstanding first seasons at the helm of their respective clubs.
Fraser revealed they have another connection beyond the art of coaching and ruck craft.
“I've really enjoyed watching ‘Kingy's' journey this year. We're both Goulburn Valley boys, he's Shepparton, and I'm from Mansfield," he said.
"I've followed his pathway into the AFL, to see him have the career he had and then move into coaching. He's a great fella, and I wish him all the best… just not so much this weekend.”
