CARLTON players won't change their tackling style or reduce their improved tackling pressure in the wake of Bryce Gibbs' two-match suspension for rough conduct against Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray.
The Blues opted to accept Gibbs' two-match ban for the sling tackle that saw Gray carried off on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace during the second quarter of Saturday's clash at the MCG.
Gibbs will now miss clashes with Gold Coast this Sunday and the Western Bulldogs on July 4.
Defender Dylan Buckley said natural instincts made it difficult to know what was allowed when going into a tackle, but insisted the Gibbs situation was a rare one.
Gibbs accepts two-week ban
"It probably is pretty tough. You've been brought up to tackle as a kid and there was no intent from Bryce to hurt the player," Buckley said.
"But that's just the way footy is sometimes, it's a pretty physical game and that's just the way it is.
"One in 10 of those tackles, they're a perfect tackle but sometimes players get hurt and we're happy Robbie is OK and should get up [next week].
"We're going to keep our tackling pressure up and I think it was just a one-off.
"The [tackling pressure] ties back to that consistent effort and pressure around the footy.
"When those guys are laying those good tackles, it really inspires the other boys to jump on board."
Buckley believes interim coach John Barker presents as a great option as the Blues' next coach if they continue to show the improvement they have in the three games he's presided over so far.
In losses to the Sydney Swans and Adelaide and Saturday's win over the Power, the Blues' pressure was better and they've been playing with freedom since the coaching change ahead of round nine.
"It's been a pretty seamless transition," Buckley said.
Ouch - Robbie Gray's been stretchered from the field after this heavy tackle from Bryce Gibbs #AFLBluesPower http://t.co/noSNQMH3mA
— AFL (@AFL) June 20, 2015
"[Barker] has got amazing support within the group and really good relationships with the players.
"He's just really preached that consistent effort and pressure around the footy.
"At the moment, we're playing a bit more instinctively and using each other; when you're using each other, you're allowing blokes to run and rewarding them.
"When we're playing we're enjoying the time under John and he's been really good with us getting back to the basics of playing footy and enjoying it."
Defender Michael Jamison could come into consideration this week if he gets through Tuesday's closed training session and another later in the week, after returning from a calf injury in the VFL on Saturday.
"He clocked up the hours he had to get and we'd welcome him back into the team if he's ready to go," Buckley said.
Jamison last played in the Blues' win over St Kilda in Wellington in round four.
Carlton might also face a Suns' outfit strengthened by the return of captain Gary Ablett for his first game since round two.
Buckley said they would "welcome the challenge" if the two-time Brownlow medallist lined up.
"It's great for the game to have Gary back," he said.
"I think it would be good for him to get back, we want to play against the best and we want to get our wins and with Gary they'll definitely test us out.
"It's going to be a really good competition this weekend, both teams obviously looking to get another win and really kick-start their season so if Gary's in, all the better."