CARLTON expects Patrick Cripps to face Port Adelaide next week despite the star midfielder playing sore in the Blues' loss to Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The best and fairest winner looked hampered at stages in his team's 26-point defeat, but still managed to gather 17 disposals and nine tackles through the midfield.

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Blues coach Brendon Bolton said the 22-year-old would be fine to meet the Power next week at Adelaide Oval despite carrying the soreness, which isn't related to the cracked jaw he suffered in round two against Melbourne.

"He was a bit sore tonight. He toughed the game out and worked for us in and around congestion, but he's a little bit sore. Not in the jaw, I think he got a couple of big hits in and around the upper body. He battled on, he's a soldier. You've got to respect him," Bolton said.

"I think he'll play [next week], he's just sore. He's a guy who plays contested possession footy [but] I'm pretty sure he'll get up." 

Five talking points: Carlton v Gold Coast

Bolton said there was "a lot" to like for the Blues in the loss at Etihad Stadium, but lamented his side's inability to make the most of their chances in the first half. 

After dominating play in the opening term, Carlton then took a five-point lead into half-time. However, it conceded seven goals in the third term in a game-breaking quarter by the Suns.

"There's lots of little signs but we won't shy away from that third quarter," he said.

"When you lose a game we won't absolve ourselves from trying to win, but there was some signs. The inside 50 differential was very similar and we had ample opportunities, particularly in the first half. But you can just see that when it clicks for some of these youngsters it's going to be good for us."

WATCH: Brendon Bolton's full post-match press conference

The second-year coach highlighted the effort of debutant Zac Fisher (12 disposals, one goal) as a positive for the club, as well as the three-goal haul from Jack Silvagni and ex-Giant Jarrod Pickett's speed and excitement in attack.

Jacob Weitering begun the night stationed in attack but after Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch booted five goals to half-time, Bolton swung Weitering to the backline in a bid to contain Lynch. 

Lynch finished with seven goals and was the most important player on the ground, but Bolton said he would continue to move Weitering as he builds his all-round game. 

"We gave him some exposure at both ends tonight which is great for his growth and development. I think in time he will enjoy the responsibility of having to move both ends depending on the need of the game," he said.

"[Lynch is] a super player. We can't shy away from that. He didn't miss, and had some really good shots at goal. But some of the ball when it did get through got through really quickly."