CARLTON caretaker coach John Barker believes next week's clash with Hawthorn could get ugly, thanks to the Blues' extensive injury list.
The Blues were competitive in the first two quarters against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday but slumped to an embarrassing 81-point loss after giving up 15 goals to three in the second half.
With captain Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Dale Thomas injured, Chris Judd retired and Lachie Henderson requesting a trade, Barker said his young side just couldn't compete for a whole game.
The Blues finish their season against the Hawks next week and Barker confidently predicted what was in store.
Click here to watch John Barker's full post-match press conference
"The task gets harder and the challenge gets greater," he said.
"We're vulnerable, obviously, given where we're at in terms of availability and where we're at in terms of the depth on our list.
"As you all know we've 19 players who are unavailable, I think we had five players left over who played in our VFL team today.
"I'm not sure I've been in a club that's been more decimated by injuries and it's taking its toll.
"It's been a fairly long season for a number of different reasons."
Five talking points: GWS v Carlton
The Blues did have some experience on the field at Spotless Stadium but some of them were no more than spectators in the disappointing defeat.
Skilful duo Chris Yarran and Troy Menzel shared 13 possessions for the day and barely looked interested in contributing to the cause, let alone leading by example for their young teammates.
Barker refused to single out any of his players, instead focusing on the positive performances from the likes of Rising Star favourite Patrick Cripps, Dylan Buckley, and Matthew Dick.
But it seems Yarran's Carlton passport has been stamped and if Saturday's effort is any indication, Menzel could also be exiting the Blues at season's end.
"Do you think they're giving enough effort?" Barker said.
"I'd prefer not to talk about the guys that aren't giving us effort because they're writing their own destinies at the moment.
"It's often when the opposition has got the ball, you need weight of numbers in terms of defensive transition and effort to shut down opponents, and that’s where you see the greatest discrepancy in effort.
"They've been given opportunities on the basis that we're really struggling for manpower at the moment, and if I was in that same situation I'd be taking those opportunities a little bit more strongly than some of these guys have.
"The guys that I want to talk about are the guys that are giving us effort, are the guys we're going to build a team around and take us where we want to go.
"They're the guys who are going to take us forward, they're our future.
New Carlton coach Brendon Bolton was in the stands with list manager Stephen Silvagni to see the capitulation first hand, and Barker joked that at times he would have gladly handed over the reins early.
"He's pretty keen for me to coach out the season, although I wouldn't have minded if he'd taken over at some stage (today)," Barker said with a laugh.
