Buoyed by three goals in the final quarter from traded players, high-profile young players and draft picks, Carlton dominated Brisbane 15.13 (103) to 13.10 (88) in the club’s first unofficial hit of pre-season.

However, the result was the worst as Adam Serra was unable to finish the match due to a hamstring injury. Reported by AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge The midfielder is doubtful he will be able to play in the opening game in 15 days and will undergo tests upon his return to Melbourne.

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Serra has battled hamstring problems during his time at Carlton, most notably in 2024, when he at one point suffered five injuries in 12 months.

At Brighton Holmes Arena in Springfield, the Blues trailed by five points after three quarters, then added four goals to the Lions’ one in the final game to win by 15 points.

Three of the four major tournaments have been kicked by 18-year-old Taylor Byrne, Carlton’s 45th pick in last November’s draft, who has been working hard to make his debut ever since.

Brisbane came out of the blocks early with six goals, but the Blues fought back with four goals from Jaga Smith and Ben Ainsworth.

Smith looked frighteningly comfortable against an AFL organization in his first unofficial appearance of the year, collecting plenty of players and even making a few interceptions.

Up front, Ainsworth and fellow forward rookie Will Hayward played six games in the majors with a new style offensive set that gives Blues fans hope in the post-Charlie Curnow era.

THE 3-2-1 (What we learned)…

3. ‘Very exciting’ Jaga lives up to the hype

Few Blues players are more excited about the new season than Jaga Smith.

The second-year midfielder’s rookie season was brutally treated before the start of the season, as he suffered a severe injury that tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the preseason.

But the highly touted ballwinner had a successful summer, planning to make his Round 1 debut with Richmond and flashing the traits of a No. 3 pick in 2024.

Smith has smooth footwork and is a consistent player, and he had the ball a lot against the Lions.

The 20-year-old opened the scoring with his third ball up center of the game, and around 10 seconds later scored his first goal in Blues colors.

Receiving a handball from Lachie Fogarty, Smith set sail from 40 meters out and jagged Carlton’s first goal of the night in very classy fashion.

He played active and clean at ground level, spending time in a tasty midfield pairing with Sam Walsh.

Late in the first quarter, Smith cut off a handball from Levi Ashcroft and turned it around with a left-footed pass within 50 minutes.

“It’s a really good start (for Smith)…he looks very exciting,” Kayo Sports expert Richard Champion said in the second period.

Shortly thereafter, with the Lions threatening in transition, Smith pounced again and cut off a handball from Kaedeen Coleman in the middle of the field. He then went in the opposite direction and found Harry McKay in the chest of a 50-year-old.

But while it’s a tantalizing sight for Blues fans, Smith wasn’t the only Blues top draft pick to emerge in recent years.

Leading defender Harry Dean, who was drafted third in last November’s draft, brilliantly won a free-kick against Gun Lions forward Oscar Allen, his solid positioning forcing him to manhandle the young blue.

Son of a Gun didn’t do anything great. He was very solid when needed and gave Blues fans confidence that he would be a reliable long-term option next to Jacob Weitering.

2. Blues recruit ‘almost certainly’ ‘hot’ as former Giant in SSP race

Trade recruits Will Hayward, Ben Ainsworth and Ollie Florent also made an unofficial appearance in navy blue for the first time since arriving from Sydney.

Hayward had a lot of cracks in the goal face, but it was Ainsworth who scored the three goals.

Hayward added himself to the list of scorers for the second term, converting a genuine kick from a set shot after taking out Dane Zorko with a great tackle after some great pressure from the former Swan forward-half.

Early in the third quarter, Hayward and Ainsworth connected well, with the former finding the latter with a deft snap pass for the former Sun’s third goal of the night.

“We’re going to have a dangerous half-forward pairing there in Ainsworth and Hayward,” Kayo play-by-play man Brett Thomas said.

Ainsworth picked up a Lions handball error and scored from close range for the fourth goal.

“He’s hot tonight!” Brett Thomas exclaimed on commentary.

Hayward scored his second point of the night after blowing within 50 points and cutting the Blues’ lead to five points in the third quarter.

“They got six goals from Ainsworth and Hayward. You couldn’t ask for more from two new players,” Thomas said.

Also, former Giants swingman Wade Dirksen did his best on defense and made a strong case for inclusion on the list through SSP.

The 194cm versatile player has shown the ability to read plays well and take responsibility.

“Given his play tonight as a key defender, I think Derksen is almost a sure thing to get,” declared Brett Thomas of Kayo Sports.

Elijah Hollands, along with Dirksen, is seeking a suspended sentence for SSP after it was delisted last year.

1. Lions mix things up with Allen ‘OK’ in debut

Brisbane tried different things positionally with several return guns, while Lions fans got their first taste of rookie Oscar Allen.

Kaydeen Coleman and Lincoln McCarthy return to the park as back-to-back reigning premiers after long recoveries from injuries over the past few years.

Coleman has coached two senior games in the past two seasons combined, while McCarthy has not played AFL football since Round 8 in 2024.

Coleman played forward instead of halfback and started playing football, kicking a goal in the first quarter.

Richard Champion said of Kayo, “He plays the role really well…looks really strong and really fast.”

He returned to his familiar role as half-back towards the end of the game.

Irishman Conor McKenna and youngster Will MacLachlan also made their case as small-sized players alongside Coleman.

McKenna scored two goals as an opportunist in the forward 50, while McLachlan scored one of several chances as an alternative attacking option for the Lions to consider.

Allen hit the scoreboard once, but appeared to be in good shape without significantly impacting the game simulation.

“He was fine. He did a good job,” Champion said.

“He’s certainly performed well. Once the Lions understand his strengths and how they can get the most out of him at forward, he’ll play a really big role.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy, who is finally healthy again after a knee problem, also played a different role, including guarding Blues forward Will Hayward.

He slotted in brilliantly from half-back. He can also play a shutdown role and can play footy well.

Relive Foxfooty.com.au’s coverage in the blog below!