Carlton captain Chris Judd says doomsayers discounting the Blues without Brendan Fevola are ignoring some significant off-season gains.

Only one rival captain has tipped Carlton to follow up last year's first finals appearance in eight seasons with a repeat in 2010.

In contrast, Brisbane, who snuck past the Blues in an elimination final last season but have been boosted by Fevola and other trade gains, are almost universally forecast to again make the post-season.

But Judd said within the Carlton playing group, the expectations were high.

"There's been a lot of doom and gloom around the footy club, but essentially from our point of view it's a pretty exciting time," he said.

"We're in a new facility, we've got (experienced recruits) Robbie Warnock and Brock McLean, who have never played a senior AFL game for the club.

"Chris Yarran and Mitch Robinson, these guys are a year older and a year more mature, and some other players have had some really big pre-seasons as well."

Carlton are also relishing the return of key defenders Jarrad Waite and Michael Jamison from injury.

"We want to improve, we want to play finals and everyone's working hard to ensure that happens," Judd said.

They will find out early whether they can mix it with the AFL pacesetters.

After playing Richmond in the season-opener, six of their next seven matches are against members of last year's top eight, including both grand finalists, a stretch also including three interstate trips.

"The first eight rounds are pretty tough, if last season's form is anything to go by, which it isn't always," Judd said.

"But it is very important to win games early on in the year and sort of set your season up."

Judd acknowledges the club need a forward to step up and kick 40 or 50 goals.

The last Blue other than Fevola to have a 40-goal season was Corey McKernan back in 2002, although Eddie Betts snared 38 last year.

But while likely key forward options Setanta O'hailpin and ex-Brisbane recruit Lachie Henderson are not noted goal-kickers, Judd said they were ready to step out of the shadows.

"When you have Brendan there, Setanta's never played full-forward before or Lachie Henderson playing under Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw, he was sort of starved of opportunities," he said.

"It's going to be a different experience for a lot of players."

He said the bonus would be added flexibility without one dominant figure.

"Now we get a chance to really show how far we've come and that the group and the forward line is capable of working without Fev."

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