A suspected shoulder issue for Carlton Supplemental Selection Period prospect Denver Grainger-Barras was the latest hurdle in the ex-Hawthorn defender's hopes of an AFL lifeline.
Continuing his train-on stint with the Blues on Friday, Grainger-Barras was sidelined and left holding his shoulder after a marking contest during match simulation.
The concern forced the 22-year-old from the field at Bundoora, with Grainger-Barras not returning for the rest of the drill. He would soon step back onto the ground and was limited to running for the final 30 minutes of the training block.
The injury concern, which is hoped to be minor, comes after a luckless past couple of seasons for the former Pick 6 selection, who underwent surgery on a toe issue in February this year before facing an extended period on the sidelines.
The 194cm train-on prospect, who has been utilised at both ends of the field within Carlton's pre-season program, is one of several SSP hopefuls at the Blues - who have two free list spots - this summer.
Former Collingwood forward Liam McMahon is among those pushing for another chance in the top flight, with recently delisted Blues defenders Sam Durdin and Matt Carroll also a chance to be handed a contract by Carlton via the SSP.
McMahon - who claimed Carlton's VFL best and fairest this year after a 45-goal campaign - was also limited in his duties on Friday and watched the match simulation block from the boundary between running laps.
Listed Carlton players Blake Acres, Matt Cottrell, Corey Durdin, Orazio Fantasia and Jack Silvagni were mostly kept to their own programs, while Charlie Curnow and Mitch McGovern were unsighted.
Irish recruit Matt Duffy was mostly focused on building his workload after a year spent recovering from an ACL injury.
Gun midfielder Sam Walsh was monitored for a head clash early into the match simulation session but shook off any concern to see out the rest of training.
Multiple new faces were among the Blues to impress during the session, with GWS free agent Nick Haynes commanding in defence with his intercepting and was a clean user of the ball when exiting the back half.
Pick 3 draft selection Jagga Smith looks a near certainty for Round 1 selection with his immediate and effortless transition to AFL training, finding no issue in getting his hands on the ball - which was much the case this year in his draft campaign.
Veteran Sam Docherty will feel like a new recruit in 2025 after playing just two games this year due to his own knee injury, with the former Blues skipper often imparting his wisdom and advice to the club's younger ranks at each break.
Midfielder Adam Cerra had many strong moments as he eyes an uninterrupted run after several setbacks last season, with his efforts at training rewarded with multiple chances on goal.
The Blues had Academy prospectsย Jack Ison, Mingara Clark and Tyson Gresham - the younger brother of Essendon's Jade - also take part on Friday, as well as a handful of VFL-listed players.
