Steve Johnson doubts all of Geelong's key forwards can play in the same AFL side, but he thinks the Cats will be better for it.

Johnson himself is looking to spend more time up the ground this season, while conceding he might struggle to break into one of the league's best-credentialled midfields.

The two-time All Australian has his first game since the grand final loss to Hawthorn when the Cats play Carlton on Saturday night in their NAB Cup semi-final at Etihad Stadium.

The Cats will start raging favourites, having welcomed back Johnson and young tall forward Tom Hawkins.

Carlton, by contrast, are resting a host of stars, including captain Chris Judd, Brendan Fevola, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy.

Although Cameron Mooney will miss the semi-final to attend his brother's wedding, the Cats will still have Hawkins, Ryan Gamble and Tom Lonergan as big-marking targets.

Asked if the quartet could play together, Johnson said: "I doubt it, but at least three of them are capable of playing in the same side.

"There are probably going to be one or two players (among the forwards) who are going to miss out, but that's just great for your forward line because it does put pressure on you."

Johnson is looking to blow out some cobwebs this weekend, having missed all the pre-season games so far as he targets round one.

He has spent a little time through the midfield, but wants to expand that role if he can.

"I will probably play a little bit of both, I've been training in the pre-season up with the midfielders, I'd like to add that to my game, a little bit more time through there," he said.

"But we do have such quality midfielders, who do you tell the coaches you want to take out of there?

"It gives you a little bit of a release, rather than having a half-back flanker hanging off your back all day."

Johnson is also relaxed about the impact of the zoning and flooding tactics that are creating so much debate during the pre-season.

He sees this playing into the hands of sides such as Geelong, who are renowned for their ball use.

"If sides are zoning, it's just going to force (opponents) to become more skilful and the only way to break down zoning is to take the game on, really back yourself to get through that," he said.

"Although sides might struggle early in the season, you can definitely through that flooding or zoning or whatever you want to call it.

"We've shown we're a pretty skilful side ... we've probably been working on it for the last two or three years."

Former Melbourne defender Chris Johnson has certainly added to Carlton's skills and has shown promising form during the NAB Cup.

He said the Blues are undeterred about being so under-strength against the league's best team.

"We're going in with a risk-free attitude to the game, the fitness staff put a structure in place at the start of the pre-season and the NAB Cup is like the final frontier before the season starts for us," he said.

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