Carlton showed they could kick goals and win without Brendan Fevola in their impressive opening round victory over Richmond, according to Blues key position player Jarrad Waite.

Carlton crafted a 56-point win over the Tigers, with Waite, playing his first AFL match since undergoing a knee reconstruction, kicking the first of 18 goals by his side.

"After 10 months out of the game it was good to get on the board early and get a few kicks," Waite said.

"It was good for myself and good for the team, I think we kicked seven straight ... it was a really good start."

Carlton coach Brett Ratten said after the match he was pleased to have six players kick two or more goals, as the Blues attempted to find a focus in attack since Fevola's trade to Brisbane.

Waite said he thought it was a work in progress.

"It's a massive part losing a key forward," said the 27-year-old.

"But we've worked really hard over the pre-season and we feel very confident in our ability to be able to kick a (winning) score."

"If we can get a few more midfielders kicking goals it will help us massively."

Speaking at the team's recovery session on Friday Waite, who expects to play forward as well as in defence this year, said he felt relieved to get through his comeback match.

"I had mixed emotions, a bit nervous and it sort of does feel like you're playing your first game again," he said.

"But once you got out there and start running around it comes very naturally."

But most importantly his knee felt strong.

"The knee's sweet, just the rest of my body's a bit sore, getting used to the crash and bash of AFL."

He was grateful that the team had a seven day turnaround before their round two match against Fevola's new side, the Lions in Brisbane next Thursday night.

"To win and win comfortably was really good for the psyche of the team and confidence going into round two," Waite said.

"It's only one game and we need to do that week-in, week-out, but if we can do that, we reckon we're a really good chance to make finals."

He said the team had drawn confidence from their performance, which they would need with a tough early season draw as they faced six of last year's finalists in the first seven rounds.

"We have to win the majority of them," he said.

"It is a tough road ... if you want to play finals footy you have to beat final-eight teams."

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