CARLTON forward Jarrod Pickett has put his hand up to do additional pre-season training sessions, having returned to the club last week slightly overweight.

Pickett has been asked to train with the club's VFL affiliate the Northern Blues as he builds his fitness base, doing an alternative program that features a host of double sessions.

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

AFL.com.au understands Carlton's playing group made the decision to have Pickett undertake a different training routine, with the club focused on lifting the overall standards of its fitness program as it enters a crucial 2019 season.

Andrew Russell began his role as Carlton's new high-performance manager almost a month ago, charged with the task of driving those improved standards across pre-season.

WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor

While Pickett didn't initially meet the club's expectations, the 22-year-old was proactive in requesting a stricter regime to ensure he returned to shape as quickly as possible.

He has since been completing double sessions, including additional work with Russell's fitness staff at the club's home base at Ikon Park in the morning, before joining its VFL side the Northern Blues for its pre-season training sessions in the evening.

BLUE FLYING 'Pre, pre-season' sets up Docherty

Pickett had looked set for a breakout season in 2018, before fracturing his scaphoid in training on the eve of the campaign and missing the first three months of the year. He returned in round 15, playing seven of the final nine games.

The former Giant is on the verge of his third season with the Blues, having joined the club in 2016. He was initially recruited to GWS with pick No.4 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.