Brett Ratten confirmed that both Jarrad Waite and Marc Murphy will be missing from the NAB Cup match against Sydney on February 20th, but is hopeful both will be ready for the official season opener against Richmond at the MCG on March 25th.
 
"Jarrad and Marc will not be playing in Sydney in the NAB Cup but at this stage we expect they will be ready for the opening game of the season. The match practice and simulation work is really ramping up as we get closer to the start of the new season and being in the new facilities is sensational," Ratten said.
 
As for the players available for Carlton's NAB Cup match in Sydney, Ratten said that he expected almost a full list to be available for selection. "We will monitor the list over the next few weeks and our priority is the opening match of the season, as it always has been since I have been coaching, so this will determine the team for the NAB Cup match."
 
Ratten admitted the pre-season had been the best he had been involved in at Carlton, including his time as a player at the Club. He said the players had worked extremely hard and had taken a number of steps forward in their preparation for 2010. He said the much publicised issues just prior to Christmas was something the players really regretted and are working hard to redeem themselves, in particular the three players who have been suspended from the Club and have been training with the Bullants and on their own. "