CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton has cautioned his players against staging in the wake of an incident involving Blaine Boekhorst in last Sunday's loss to the Sydney Swans.
Boekhorst was awarded a free kick for high contact after Swan Dane Rampe tried to tackle him, converting the resultant set shot for goal from about 40m.
What do you think? Watch Rampe's tackle on Boekhorst
Boekhorst threw his head back at the time of the tackle despite the fact Rampe only made contact with his chest.
Bolton conceded on Wednesday that a free kick shouldn't have been paid to Boekhorst, but said he had only become aware of the incident after it was highlighted in reports on Tuesday night.
"It hasn't been a trend in our game. It's not going to be a trend because we don't want to be a team that goes into that area," Bolton said on Wednesday.
"We've had a reminder, but it's not a trend. It's the first time I've noticed it and it's only been brought to my attention in the media.
"It's been spoken about, a brief comment. I wouldn't think you'll see it from Carlton players."
Asked whether he felt Boekhorst had staged for a free kick, Bolton said: "Make your own assessment on that."
He also preferred not to comment on whether Boekhorst had been embarrassed by the attention the incident had received, saying simply that it had been "a one-off for Carlton".
Staging is a reportable offence punishable by a warning at first instance and a fine for subsequent offences.
The Match Review Panel did not cite Boekhorst for staging after reviewing incidents from round two on Monday.
Carlton faces a tough match against the undefeated Gold Coast on Saturday night at Metricon Stadium.
After missing most of last year with a shoulder injury, Suns captain Gary Ablett has opened 2016 in strong form.
Asked whether he would consider tagging Ablett, Bolton suggested there was still a place for taggers in the AFL but said the Blues' match committee had yet to finalise its plans for the two-time Brownlow medallist.
Bolton said Suns spearhead Tom Lynch was another "big job" the Blues would have to address in their pre-match planning, with first-year defender Jacob Weitering likely to spend some time on the Gold Coast vice-captain.
Former Giant Lachie Plowman returned for his first game since hip surgery in the VFL last Saturday, playing half a match for the Northern Blues in defence.
Bolton was hopeful that, form permitting, Plowman could make his club debut for Carlton in "the next few weeks".
"We need to be a footy club that bases that on form and how he performs, and he played a half on the weekend, which was really promising," Bolton said.
"If he can continue that form, it will be sooner rather than later."
