Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has backed in whatever Blues side is named to face Brisbane next week to get the job done, with the Princes Park club facing at least four likely changes for their elimination final.
Key forwards Charlie Curnow (ankle) and Harry McKay (quad) are expected to play at the Gabba on Saturday, while Mitch McGovern and Zac Williams are also in the mix following late-season hamstring concerns.
The Blues also have Tom De Koning (foot), Adam Cerra (hamstring), Jordan Boyd (adductor), Jack Martin (hamstring) and Caleb Marchbank pressing their case at training, giving Michael Voss and Carlton's selection committee much to consider over the next week.
In Cripps' eyes, no matter who is named for the must-win final on the road will be backed in to play their role and give the Blues their best chance of keeping their campaign alive.
"We've got four guys who have played a lot of footy, only missed the last two games, so that's Charlie, Harry, Zac and 'Gov'. If they're fit, they're going to be a big chance to play," Cripps told media on Saturday.
"The other four, they've done a lot of work. That's where this finals bye has helped us. It's not like they're getting picked off no work, they've done a lot of work over the last six weeks. They're doing everything they can, but it's going to be interesting to see how the team is.
"One thing we'll do as a team is celebrate whoever is picked, we're all heading in the same direction. That's the power of the energy it can create.
"It started today with our training session, we want to build momentum today into our big session on Monday. We're all locked in as a group and as a squad and whoever gets picked, I have a lot of confidence they'll get the job done."
Another name in the mix to face the Lions is former Carlton captain Sam Docherty, who could stunningly return from an ACL injury sustained in the Opening Round this year.
Docherty has been training with the main group for some time now and ha a growing case for a recall to face his old side in Queensland, with Cripps among many onlookers buoyed by Docherty's session on Saturday.
"He was flyin', wasn't he? I reckon he'd be knocking down 'Vossy's' door every day until selection," Cripps said.
"He's a great story, he's done a lot of work today, he's been [training hard] for a good six weeks. He's put his hand up, but the coaches are going to pick the side they think is best.
"Personally, I love playing with him a lot. He's been through a lot, we've been through a lot together and he's a guy you can trust on the footy field. If he gets picked, you know he's going to perform.
"He is a guy that doesn't do it the normal way, he does it a lot of different ways. All the stories you hear, we see, we see the real life version of the hard work he puts in. It takes a special person to do it.
"He's had the three knees, two bouts of cancer and one thing that he's always done when he's come back from those is work bloody hard, but he performs straight away. He knows what it takes to perform at a high level."
While the Blues will have several senior players returning for their clash with the Lions, the situation will mean many of their young players who have impressed in their absence in recent weeks may fall back out of Voss' side.
Arguably, the most impressive of the lot is Mid-Season Draft addition Cooper Lord, who has averaged 17.0 disposals, 4.5 tackles, 4.0 marks and 7.0 contested possessions across his pair of appearances.
Speaking on the Sandringham Dragons product, Cripps said Lord has done everything that has been asked of him since making his debut in Round 23.
"I love him. He's got a great mind for a young fella," Cripps said.
"When young guys come in and they want to get after it, as a leader and an old fella now, it gives you a lot of energy.
"He just watches, observes, asks questions, he's got a real desire to compete. One thing about these young guys who have come in is that they haven't waited to be good, they just came in and played a role and were good straight away, which is really pleasing for us as leaders of the team.
"He did a great job to come in like he did and have an impact. He's played two games but you can tell he belongs there.
"He's a guy that you know if his magnet is picked, you're going to back him in to play some good footy."
Carlton will face Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday, September 7, at 7:30pm (AEST), with the Blues' side for their elimination final to be named on Thursday evening.
