Carlton key forward Jarrad Waite moves closer to an AFL return this Sunday when he resumes playing.
Blues coach Mick Malthouse said Waite will finally play in the VFL after overcoming his calf muscle injury.
Waite has not played so far this year and Carlton eagerly await his return to the senior side.
Malthouse was guarded on how long that will take, saying it will depend on how he pulls up from the VFL.
“He could go one week, he could go two weeks,” he said.
The coach added it had been a frustrating time for Waite.
“He’s like any player – he doesn’t really want to have ‘patience’ listed next to his name,” he said.
“He just wants to get out there.
“But unfortunately he’s had to be reasonably patient over that period because that leg just didn’t respond early on.
“It has probably in the last month … he’s had to do a mini pre-season.”
The Blues will regain small forward Eddie Betts from a jaw fracture for Saturday’s MCG twilight match against Adelaide.
“He’s a very valued player, has an enormous impact in play and they all love him,” Malthouse said.
“He just loves playing footy … it’s very good.”
Carlton had their first win of the season with an upset of West Coast, while Adelaide are 2-2.
The Crows are from from top form, but Malthouse is wary.
He noted their top-four finish last season and said they are a good-quality group who play disciplined football.
“I don’t think it’s an accident where they finished last year and you can’t play as good, as long as they did last year without being recognised as a very good football side,” he said.
Malthouse put the spotlight on Adelaide star Taylor Walker, again saying the key forward reminded him of all-time greats Tony Lockett and Jason Dunstall.
“He reminds me of a modern-day version of a Locket and Dunstall,” Malthouse said.
“Now let’s not get caught up in this – they are out-and-out champions.
“He is as close to those types of players physically as any player in the competition.
“That’s not taking anything away from Travis Cloke, who’s again a different sort of player.”