ASSISTANT coach Leigh Adams has highlighted the return of Adam Cerra as a key inclusion for the Blues leading into the Good Friday SuperClash.

Playing his first game of the 2026 season, Cerra returns to the fold for game No.149, on the back of a 2025 campaign where he led the John Nicholls Medal count before an untimely injury.

Adding a different look to Carlton’s on-ball brigade, Adams said Cerra’s return would be a bonus for the Blues ahead of what he’s expecting to be a crucial midfield battle at Marvel Stadium.

“It’s really exciting to have Cerra back. In pre-season, his form was outstanding - he’ll clearly go through the midfield, which is really important for us this week,” Adams said.

“Clearly it’s going to be a midfield battle: they’ve got a really impressive midfield group and so do we, so whoever can get the ascendancy in there will have a really good opportunity to win the game.”

Cerra isn’t alone, with the midfielder one of four players named to feature in their first games of the 2026 season.

Joining debutant Wade Derksen and a returning Jordan Boyd is Nic Newman, who will play his first game in 573 days after a ruptured patella injury last year.

On the back of two runner-up finishes in the best-and-fairest count (2023 and 2024), Adams said the inclusions would allow the Blues to improve their transition from the back half.

“We’ve been stuck in our back 50 a little bit too often this year, so bringing in two high-quality ball users [Boyd and Newman] is going to be really important.

“‘Newy’ brings a lot of leadership as well, so we’re really excited to get both those boys in.”