Carlton hope a pre-season focused on greater composure and ball control will allow its players to flourish and "love the big stage".
Frustrated by dropping seven matches by 15 points or less last season, along with a tie with Essendon, the Blues, having also tightened their off-field disciplines, want players to handle the pressure of tight matches better.
That test could come as early as Thursday night's blockbuster opener against Richmond, with the last two early-season clashes between the arch-rivals producing close finishes. The Tigers prevailed by two goals in round two last year, and by five points in round one of 2013.
Skipper Marc Murphy has been instrumental in forging what the Blues hope will be a tougher team this season.
"We found we were in games for 90, 95 per cent of the time but against good sides you just can't do that. They will take those opportunities and just beat you. We found that out by losing close games against really good sides last year," Murphy said.
"You can't wait for a coach to deliver a message from the coaches' box. It's too late by then. We have just really been focusing on consistency of effort.
"We have had a really big team-first focus this pre-season, about just getting the best out of each individual and doing the right thing by your teammates.
"Along with focusing pretty hard on our defensive game, and limiting turnovers, that has been a really big focus. We have had a good indication of how that has been looking over the pre-season so far and the NAB Challenge games, but once the season starts, that is going to be our focus."
Coach Mick Malthouse said it would be more a mental, rather than gameplan-oriented battle for the Blues this year, saying it wasn't an "accident" that his team lost so many close matches last year.
Having shed more than 50 per cent of the list he inherited, Malthouse has declared he wants players which display a "Carlton-type theme ... deliver under pressure, love the big game".
He said his game plan — the Blues have appeared to be more direct and attacking through the pre-season — was based on the type of players at his disposal, conceding "we haven't got the players that play like Hawthorn".
Vice-captain Andrew Carrazzo said draftees Blaine Boekhorst and Clem Smith were under consideration to make their debut, although it's felt only one would step out against the Tigers.
"They've fitted in really well. You can tell they've both got a really mature head on their shoulders," Carrazzo said.
"In time, whether it's this week or another week – I know they're right in the mix for selection this week – it's going to be exciting to see those guys out there."
The Tigers, meanwhile, are tipped to hand mature-age rookie Kane Lambert his senior debut. Lambert played in all three NAB Challenge matches.
Malthouse says the mature-age Boekhorst is more a half-forward at this stage, while Smith needs to develop as a small forward, along with former Bulldog Jason Tutt.
Reigning best and fairest Bryce Gibbs trained strongly on Monday, and appears set to take his place.
Gibbs hurt his right shoulder, suffering a "stinger", in the second NAB Challenge match against Collingwood at Bendigo on March 15.
Ruckman Robbie Warnock, who is dealing with a sore shoulder, was also keen to prove his fitness.
There is always an immense focus on round one, and may be greater this year with Malthouse, off contract, and counterpart Damien Hardwick, contracted until the end of 2016, under pressure to lift their teams.
"It's always huge getting off to a good start and getting a win on the board first up. Whether it's overrated or not, I am not too sure," Murphy said.
"From a player's point of view, you want to make a good impact first up."
Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin said on Monday he was "100 per cent ready to go", having had to manage a hamstring complaint through the pre-season.
Defender David Astbury will miss, however, having required plastic surgery to remove a stingray barb from his left foot.
