A half-strength Adelaide has added to Carlton's troubled off-season by defeating a near full-strength Blues' line-up by one point at Visy Park on Friday night.

While Adelaide was missing a host of stars on Friday including Andrew McLeod, Scott Thompson, Nathan van Berlo, Jason Porplyzia, Brad Symes, Brad Moran, Ivan Maric, Tyson Edwards and Bernie Vince, the Blues were virtually at full-strength and playing at home.

Carlton, which played finals for the first time since 2001 last year, had been widely tipped to struggle this season following the loss of spearhead Brendan Fevola, who moved to Brisbane after being dumped following his Brownlow Medal night disgrace.

There have also been other episodes of binge drinking with Ryan Houlihan, Eddie Betts and Andrew Walker all suspended during the NAB Cup following a controversial boat cruise before Christmas.

The Blues' pre-season form on the field has been just as unspectacular with this 12.11 (83) to 11.16 (82) loss - with the final margin flattering the home side - their third loss in four pre-season hit-outs in 2010 after the 2005 and 2007 NAB Cup winners bowed out in the first round of this year's competition.

But with Kurt Tippett again confirming his status as one of the game's most exciting young key forwards, the Crows' attack looked far more dangerous than the Blues' as they look to somehow replace Fevola who led the club's goalkicking in each of the past seven years.

Tippett booted three goals and handed another to promising Crows' rookie Ricky Henderson as well as taking an early candidate for mark of the year in the second quarter.

Henderson was not the only Crows youngster to shine on Friday with Jared Petrenko, who played nine games in his debut year last season, showing signs he will be a regular player this year with two goals while Trent Hentschel and Taylor Walker also looked dangerous in attack.

In contrast the Blues' forward line looked one dimensional with big Irishman Setanta O'hAilpin appearing their only viable marking option in attack as Jarrad Waite struggled in only his second game back from a serious knee injury.

Boom recruit Brock McLean and second-year Blue Robbie Warnock also had little impact.

The Blues stayed in touch for most of the game after Adelaide jumped them from the outset by kicking the first three goals of the match.

Carlton drew level in the final term thanks to two goals from Eddie Betts and an outstanding best-on-ground performance from young ruckman Matthew Kreuzer.

But it was the Crows that looked by far the more impressive given their below-strength line-up.

CARLTON: 1.4, 4.7, 8.11, 11.16 (82)
ADELAIDE: 3.5, 6.7, 10.8, 12.11 (83)

GOALS: Carlton: O'hAilpin 3, Robinson 2, Betts 2, Gibbs, Murphy, McLean, Waite
Adelaide: Tippett 3, Petrenko 2, Walker 2, McKay, Johncock, Henderson, Hentschel, Douglas
BEST: Carlton: Kreuzer, O'hAilpin, Simpson, Scotland, Murphy, Robinson
Adelaide: Tippett, McKay, Doughty, Reilly, Hentschel, Goodwin, Johncock, Douglas
INJURIES: Carlton: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 3,000 at Visy Park