Carlton is poised to regain superstar defender Jacob Weitering for this Friday night\u2019s clash with Geelong.<\/p>\n
The Blues have won their past two matches since the sudden departure of Michael Voss but face one of the sternest tests in the competition in the Cats at the MCG.<\/p>\n
Weitering has been out of action with a calf injury but interim coach Josh Fraser is optimistic he will have the brilliant backman available.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll train today and we\u2019re hoping he\u2019ll be okay to put his hand up,\u201d Fraser said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe trained on Saturday whilst we were in Adelaide and got through the session well, we\u2019re hopeful he\u2019ll get through today.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got some big forwards, he\u2019s important to us \u2013 not only his performances but also his leadership. We\u2019ll consider what that looks like post-training.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carlton will need Weitering and the best of Harry Dean if it is to navigate Geelong\u2019s uber-threatening forward line.<\/p>\n
Dean has played nine games for the Blues this season, collecting match-ups typically foreign to first-season players.<\/p>\n
Fraser sings the praises of Dean but insists there\u2019s not enough of it happening outside the four walls.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure Harry is getting enough credit externally, I think he\u2019s been outstanding,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had a big job last week, he\u2019s had a big job most weeks and he\u2019s doing a terrific amount of work for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe plays with a maturity above his age, he brings a competitive edge to what we\u2019re doing on-field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve loved the start to his career, I think Carlton supporters should be pretty excited about the way his career is going to unfold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carlton has won more in the past fortnight than it did in the first nine rounds under coach Voss.<\/p>\n
But Fraser is quick to suggest it\u2019s an evolution in energy and education more than a change.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to think we\u2019ve evolved more than we\u2019ve changed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you evolve, there are natural changes with what you do, but there\u2019s been a strong foundation built.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been able to consider what that looks like moving forward: some of the changes have been game day, some of it has happened Monday to Friday with where we\u2019re putting our energy and where we\u2019re educating.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s evolving. We\u2019ve got a lot more steps in front of us, but there have been encouraging signs so far.\u201d<\/p>\n