CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton has called for perspective after Saturday's thrashing at the hands of St Kilda and says he holds no doubts about the path the club is on.
The Blues fielded a significantly weakened team at Ikon Park, choosing to rest top-line players Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson and Sam Docherty, and fielding seven players without AFL experience.
The result was a 92-point thrashing, with Carlton uncompetitive after quarter-time and kicking just 1.2 in the second half to remain winless in the JLT Community Series.
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"There's two things we need to appreciate, one is the perspective of what we did there in terms of our selection," Bolton said.
"But also an understanding that we will always set high standards internally and celebrate the little parts we liked, but we will also challenge the areas that need to be challenged.
"It's the long-term decision versus the short-term decision … for our youngsters to grow, they get an appreciation of what it takes. JLT is a really good opportunity to do that."
Carlton has been aggressively rebuilding under Bolton and list manager Stephen Silvagni, adding another 12 players to its list in the 2016 draft and exchange periods.
The coach was not concerned about the path taken and said the club had chosen the best long-term option by giving young players opportunities in the pre-season.
"We've got some young talent out there who hadn't played the game, and we can be blinded by it all," he said.
"For them to get better, we need to expose them to develop them. Within that, we will challenge (the things) they need to improve on.
"We'll be asking a bit of our group. We're going to stiffen our side up in the last JLT game in WA."
Bolton said the Blues' selection plan for the pre-season had been partly dictated by their schedule, with the team travelling to Perth on a six-day break to face Fremantle next Friday night.
The coach expected to get quick improvement on areas of concern, which included the players' ability to endure opposition pressure for longer.
St Kilda won the tackle count 69-47, despite also controlling possession for long periods, pressing up the ground aggressively to corner their opponents.
There were stars all over the ground for the Saints, with Josh Bruce booting seven goals, and midfielders Jack Steele (25 possessions and two goals) and Jack Billings (30 and five marks) shining.
Stand-in coach Aaron Hamill said Billings could expect to spend more time in the midfield after a standout pre-season that has seen him rotating between a wing and half-forward.
WATCH: Aaron Hamill's full post-match media conference
"It's a natural progression for Jack," Hamill said.
"He's had an outstanding pre-season and he's a very driven individual who is used to succeeding and doing well in life.
"His next step is to become an every-time player. It's on the back of his hard work and willingness to work both ways for us.
"We need him to buy in defensively, that's been his focus this pre-season, and I think he can play a number of positions."
Hamill said the Saints would likely welcome back captain Jarryn Geary, champion Nick Riewoldt and defender Dylan Roberton in the final pre-season match against Sydney.
