Carlton face the unenviable task of tackling reigning AFL premiers Geelong on the rebound at the venue most conducive to the Cats' slick brand of football.

Geelong, who are renowned for zinging the ball from defence through the centre corridor, have produced two breathtaking performances this year under the roof of Telstra Dome, kicking 22 goals against Essendon in round two and 21 majors against St Kilda a fortnight later.

And to compound the Blues' misfortune, Geelong are coming off an 86-point whipping from Collingwood, their first defeat for the year.

"You can take it two ways," Carlton assistant coach Gavin Crosisca said.

"They can either be very angry and annoyed with themselves they lost last week or Collingwood could have dinted their confidence a little bit - hopefully it's that way.

"We're playing them on a quick track and they move the ball very quickly.

"We've got some decent leg speed (but) they move the ball quickly, so things have got to go right for us.

"We'll give it 110 per cent effort and if a few things fall our way hopefully we can be in it at the end."

Sensing a need for speed, the Blues have selected pacy West Australian Dennis Armfield for his first senior game.

Armfield, 21, was taken 46th overall in last year's national draft and could be thrown straight into the fray with a tagging job on one of Geelong's premier midfielders.

"He can play as a small defender, he could probably tag in midfield if he was needed or he could be that hard-chasing, tackling-type small forward that hopefully might snaffle a couple of goals," said Crosisca.

First-choice ruckman Cameron Cloke (wrist) and Bret Thornton (knee) will both make welcome returns to the Blues' lineup.

With the in-form Jarrad Waite serving a one-match ban suspension and improved fullback Michael Jamieson on the injured list, Thornton's inclusion will bolster a sometimes brittle back six.

Geelong defender Josh Hunt (shoulder) will be replaced by Max Rooke, Shannon Byrnes will come in for Ryan Gamble (omitted) while premiership ruckman Brad Ottens will play his first match this season after recovering from a foot complaint.

Crosisca said the Blues expected Ottens to spend most of the up forward.

"You'd probably think he'd play forward a fair bit due to him not playing since (last year's) grand final - it's a long time to miss with footy," Crosisca said.

"He's a big man - I'm not quite sure he would rely on his fitness to get him around the ground, I would say he'd spend a brief period in the ruck to give (Mark) Blake a bit of a spell.

"Whether he goes forward and how much time he spends forward we don't know, but we've got players to accommodate him."

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