SOME BIG names will run out in Navy Blue for Sunday's final dress rehearsal ahead of the AFL season proper.

In preparation for Sunday's clash with Brisbane at the spiritual home, Carlton will have some key experience feature with Round 1 waiting in the wings.

As confirmed earlier on Thursday, Mitch McGovern will feature for the first time in 2020, as will Caleb Marchbank.

Marchbank - who made a successful return to action for the Northern Blues last week - hasn't featured in the AFL side since sustaining a fractured neck in July last year.

Marchbank will join key defenders Liam Jones, Lachie Plowman and Jacob Weitering, while McGovern will provide a focal point alongside Levi Casboult up forward.

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard VFL | Marchbank returns to action Watch highlights of Caleb Marshbank's outing for the Northern Blues.

After featuring for the All-Stars last weekend, Eddie Betts and Patrick Cripps will return to the fold. They'll be joined by Lachie Plowman, who was a late exclusion in Mandurah after featuring the previous week in a practice match against Collingwood.

The Blues could also welcome back Marc Murphy and Sam Petrevski-Seton, who have been named on an extended bench.

It will be Betts' first official hitout since returning in October last year: he joins fellow veteran Kade Simpson as the only two remaining Blues to play at Ikon Park for AFL premiership points.

Speaking of duos, it will also be the first time that Cripps and Sam Docherty will be teammates in an official capacity since Round 16, 2017, and the first time they will lead together after being appointed as co-captains in October 2018.

"The Bluebaggers are getting excited and signing up... the players are pretty pumped at the moment."@patrickcripps couldn't be happier with the love and commitment from the fans. ?#BoundByBlue — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 4, 2020

Also named on the extended bench is Jack Martin, who enjoyed an impressive beginning to life as a Blue last week. One of 12 players named on the interchange, the squad will be cut down on Friday and announced at 5pm.

Assistant coach Cameron Bruce said on Friday that the game marked a big opportunity for players to put their hand up for the AFL season opener.

"We'll have some players come back into the side and give us a better indication of where we're at," Bruce said.

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard Bruce: We want to be a higher scoring side Cameron Bruce spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of the club's second Marsh Community Series game on Sunday.

"It'll certainly look more like a side that will go up against Richmond.

"We get another opportunity this weekend against a side that finished in the top four last year and will be pushing again this year."

Sunday’s Marsh Community Series game will begin at 6:40pm. It's a big weekend to be a Blue at Ikon Park, with the Game Changers to kick things off on Saturday at 7:10pm in the third annual AFLW Carlton Respects game.