ARGUABLY the biggest positive to take from Carlton’s performance yesterday was its wealth of contributors.

While there’s still a lot to work on from a Navy Blue perspective - after all, it is only February - it was a well-rounded performance from Carlton in its 21-point triumph over Essendon.

Whether it was around the ground, in the middle or hitting the scoreboard, there wasn’t a Blue who wasn’t involved in the opening AFL practice match of the campaign.

Let’s start with around the ground.

Across the four quarters, it was wingman Will Setterfield who had more disposals than anyone in a Navy Blue guernsey, finishing with 24 disposals. But he absolutely wasn’t alone.

Of the 23 players who featured over the course of four quarters yesterday, 14 players finished with 15 disposals or more.

It was a promising start from the David Teague-led side from that standpoint, given the Senior Coach has so often spoken about spreading the load since being in the role over the last 18 months.

In the middle, the story was much the same as the above — yet it was arguably the most tangible difference from the 2020 season.

Yes, pre-season is the time of the year to throw the magnets around and see what sticks. But Carlton’s willingness to push more numbers through at the centre bounce was evident.

When it came to midfielders alone, nine different Blues rotated through the centre square at the feet of Marc Pittonet. The most Carlton had in any single home-and-away game last year was seven, in the final match of the season against Brisbane.

While Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and Zac Williams was the go-to trio at the beginning of every quarter, Paddy Dow, Ed Curnow and Jack Martin spent extended time at the coalface, while the likes of David Cuningham, Lachie Fogarty and Marc Murphy all had brief stints.

With fewer rotations in 2021, expect to see more of the same this season as the Blues send some of their prime ball-winners up forward to 'have a rest' (read: hit the scoreboard).

Cripps, Dow and Williams both recorded majors in their numerous stints up forward, as Carlton once again adopted a strength-in-numbers approach to making an impact in front of goal.

No individual Blue kicked more than two goals while the team itself had 10 individual goalkickers overall.

It’s clear to see that a key mantra for the Blues in 2021 is getting the job done, both individually and collectively.

It was a promising first dress rehearsal on Thursday afternoon at Ikon Park, and something for David Teague’s side to build on.