Ratten gathered his entire playing group for the first session of the new premiership campaign on Monday and building a potent attack without spearhead Brendan Fevola is at the top of the coach's 'to do' list.
"I think there will be more opportunity for so many more players," Ratten said of his forward plan.
"The players who have had limited ball go to them will now get maybe double that, which will be really exciting.
"We'll get to see Setanta O'hAilpin, does Jarrad Waite play forward or back when he comes back and there's Lachie Henderson as well.
"Even some of our medium-sized players will get an opportunity to play down there; even Judd at full-forward as well.
"Whether that's at full forward or in the forward 50 a little bit more; I think we need to help Chris a bit more to make sure he doesn't get battered and bruised year in, year out."
The Blues session followed a morning time trial around Princes Park in which new boy Brock McLean beat Judd into second place. Track specialist Andrew Walker did not take part.
Cameron Cloke was also a notable absentee after he was let go prior to last Friday's second list lodgement deadline. Ratten said the ruck-forward had been an unfortunate victim of the club's long-term list strategy.
"With Cameron we needed to get another spot on our list open and he was unlucky," he said.
"He knew that it might be coming up. It's probably hard for anyone [to hear], but that's football.
"It was a very hard decision, but that’s the view that we took at match committee and list management.
"We needed to get another pick for our recruiters."
The move frees up a spot for the club to take on former Saint Matt Maguire should he prove his fitness. Post-season operations will make that task difficult, but Ratten was confident he would get to see Maguire in full flight before a decision is made prior to the pre-season draft next month.
"He's in a modified [program], but he's not that far away," he said.
"Hopefully we'll get at least a week or so to see him with skills, running around and things like that.
"His body seems not too bad. I've had a couple of chats with him and it's been pretty low key, but he seems a quality kid and he's still got that burning desire to make his name as an AFL player again and maybe our club might be a good fit.
"I think what Matty does bring to the table is how competitive he is and that, in anyone, is a quality that you look for.
"I think his versatility is something that you look at - that could really help us. That's a real plus for any player in the competition."
Carlton's new membership drive slogan 'Can you smell what the Blues are cooking' has raised eyebrows since its launch last week and Ratten was asked if he felt it brought undue pressure on his team.
"Being at the Carlton footy club for a long time I think we cop a bit from opposition teams anyway," he said.
"That's part and parcel of the rivalries in place and I think it's good for the game.
"It does put you under a little bit of pressure, but isn't playing each week and trying to win games of football about pressure as well?"
