Carlton's out-of-form forwards Jarrad Waite and Jeff Garlett were less than convincing in the VFL on Saturday, with just two goals between them in the Blues' last-gasp three-point win over Frankston at Visy Park.
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With hopes of a return against the Western Bulldogs next Sunday, Waite finished with 2.3 from 12 disposals and five marks, while Garlett, who spent most of the match in the midfield, collected just 13 possessions, three marks and failed to register a score.
Although Blues VFL coach Luke Webster said he was largely impressed by the pair, they produced only glimpses of their best.
Waite's two majors - one in the second quarter from the boundary line and one in the final term from a snap in a pack - were freakish opportunist goals.
His opponent, Frankston's Jackson Coleman, did a sound job in harnessing the athletic, tall Waite.
Coleman, a cricketer turned football player, got a fist on several key deliveries to Waite, while Riley Heddles was one of numerous Dolphins to shadow Garlett.
Webster appeared more impressed with Waite and Garlett's attitude than their overall output.
"They came back with really good attitudes and that's exactly what we want from them,'' Webster said.
''There were patches throughout the day that they played some really good footy and they were really influential on the game.''
Webster said there were some good signs from Garlett that may help his chances of returning to the senior team.
"I thought I saw an opportunity to play Jeffy on the wing or on the ball and try to get him to get in and around the ball and get him working,'' he said. ''There were times he did some really good stuff, and he did some good stuff up forward as well. That might put him through to the AFL team."
Both were overshadowed on the stats sheet by midfielder Brock McLean, who starred with 36 touches, while Tom Bell finished with 30 disposals.
Sam Docherty, who has fought his way back from injury, starred in the opening term with 10 disposals and finished with 26.
The ex-Lion has made an impact in the two VFL matches he has played to be in the mix to make his debut for Carlton.
"He [Docherty] is looking like he's getting some run into his legs and he's using the ball well and finding the footy," Webster said.
Meanwhile, North Melbourne midfielder Liam Anthony collected 22 disposals and kicked an important third quarter goal for North Ballarat against Essendon at Windy Hill. An emergency for Sunday's clash against Sydney, he came off at three-quarter time.
Another North emergency, Robin Nahas, did not play for the Roosters.
