But Carlton have nearly 20 players aged 22 or younger on the fringes of their list who, for a variety of reasons, have generally failed to get the green light at the selection table so far in season 2015.

Dylan Buckley (22 years old) – Showed plenty of promise last season as a dashing hard nut defender before hand and hamstring injuries brought his 2014 to a premature end in Round 11. Was one of just two Blues to earn a Rising Star nomination last year and it looked as though the natural next step for him was to become a permanent fixture in Carlton's side. But, surprisingly, failed to add to his career tally of nine games in the first two rounds this year.

Matthew Watson (22) – Finished 2014 with a bang when he was recalled for just his third game of the year and booted a career-high four goals in their season-ending draw against Essendon. The former defender also kicked six goals in an intra-club game in February but the capture of Liam Jones in the off-season has probably disrupted his chances of regular game time up forward and also prevented the long-kicking tall from playing so far in 2015.

Mark Whiley (22) – Crossed to Carlton last year from GWS as part of the deal that netted the Blues the highly-rated Kristian Jaksch. Was a speculative recruit as he struggled to break into the Giants line-up in his three years in the Harbour City, managing just 12 games. But after finishing in the bottom six for both clearances and contested possessions last year, Carlton were hopeful that Whiley would bolster the team's sub-standard inside game. He is still yet to play a match this year.

Blaine Boekhorst (21) – This really is a curious one. If it wasn't curious enough that Carlton selected a mature-age recruit with their first pick in last year's draft, then trying to work out why someone who is presumably a ready-made recruit hasn't yet made his debut for the Blues certainly is a head-scratcher. Does coach Mick Malthouse still harbour ill feeling towards him for his now infamous tweet? But seriously, he is a quick midfielder who has a penetrating kick – something Carlton could do with right about now – and has shown good form at VFL level.

Patrick Cripps (20) – First-round pick from 2013, has got a bit of a taste of it with four games to his credit. After overcoming an interrupted debut season due to a broken leg, he was in the team's best 22 at the start of this year but had to pull out of the Round 2 meeting with West Coast late due to a back complaint. Has the makings of becoming a very good inside midfielder and, injury permitting, should get regular game time in 2015.

Kristian Jaksch (20) – There are high hopes at Carlton that the former No.12 draft pick will play a key role in the club's strategy of developing its next generation of key position players. Had a club debut he'd rather forget against Richmond and missed the Eagles game due to a rib injury. Like most talls, he will take time to mature and the athletic swingman will probably begin life as a Blue mostly in defence.

Matthew Dick (20) – Carlton caught many by surprise when they announced in November that they had signed up the former Swan as a delisted free agent. Failed to play a game in his two years with Sydney, which isn't exactly something to be ashamed of given how mighty that team has been, and was probably recruited primarily to boost the Blues' barren 20-24 age bracket. He is still yet to make his AFL debut, but while playing in the NEAFL showed he could play as either a half-back or midfielder.

Nick Graham (20) – Managed some continuity towards the end of last season when he strung together six games on the trot before being dropped for the last round and has yet to see any senior action in the first two weeks. Has only played 10 games since being drafted at pick No.54 in 2012 but has also shown strong form in the VFL. Carlton will hope that he will develop into a reliable inside midfielder, too.

Dillon Viojo-Rainbow (19) - Has a very colourful name and the Blues are confident he has an equally bright future. Was taken at pick 28 in last year's draft and is expected to make his debut at some stage this year. A classy defender/midfielder who has exquisite skills and is understood to be a very good decision maker.

Cameron Giles (19) – Carlton's second pick from 2013 (39 overall) is still yet to make his debut and will have to wait a little longer to do so as he has been ruled out indefinitely with the same foot injury - a fractured navicular - that marred his first year at Ikon Park.

Nick Holman (19) – Like Giles, he was taken in the 2013 draft (at pick No.51) and is another Carlton youngster who has been overlooked in the first two rounds of 2015. He has played just the one career game - in Round 22 last year – and looms as a potential future tagger but has to bring his ball skills up to scratch before getting regular opportunities at senior level.

Jayden Foster (19) – Fourth-round pick from last year's draft, struggled with a foot injury pre-season and will probably have to bide his time before breaking into the senior team. At 196cm and 93kg, the son of former Footscray star Peter is touted as a future key forward.

ROOKIES

Tom Fields (22) – Originally from Queensland, the mature-age recruit from South Adelaide is a defender/midfielder who has a lovely kick on him.

Fraser Russell (22) – Another mature-age recruit, is a category B rookie who had not been registered for at least three years as he pursued an athletics career.

Ciaran Byrne (20) – The Irishman could get his chance soon. After being upgraded to the senior list last week, in place of Giles, who was placed on the long-term injury list, he was named as an emergency against West Coast in Round 2.

Blaine Johnson (19) – Got a taste of senior action last year with five games and the half-forward will be hoping to get another crack at it at some stage this season.

Billy Gowers (18) – Carlton's first pick in the 2015 rookie draft, the son of former Hawthorn and Brisbane player Andy displayed excellent foot skills at the under-18 championships last year

Bradley Walsh (18) – Taken at pick 24 in this year's rookie draft, has been described as a tough midfielder with excellent speed.