INTERIM Carlton coach John Barker doesn't expect the embattled club's on-field fortunes to "turn around overnight", but he will demand improved effort from the Blues in the post-Mick Malthouse era.
Barker has been handed the reins of the bottom-placed Blues ahead of one of the biggest challenges in football tomorrow night – taking on the Sydney Swans at the SCG.
The long-time assistant is excited by the opportunity to showcase his credentials in the top job over the next 14 games, but said his first task would be to galvanise the Blues players and get them playing with some spirit.
"We know that there's been some issues with our effort and we know that it's one of the core components of footy," Barker said at Melbourne Airport.
"So really just to drive some spirit and some energy back into the players – obviously we've got a big task ahead of us tomorrow night – but that will probably be the main message.
"We need to keep the messages simple, I know that, it's been a big week for the boys.
"We don't think things are going to turn around overnight. We're realistic about that."
Barker thought it was "a positive" that the players had Wednesday away from the club after the dramatic events of Malthouse's sacking unfolded on Tuesday.
He said each player would handle the tumultuous period differently, but his early discussions with some players indicated the Blues were in a good frame of mind.
"I've talked to a few guys individually and they're up for the challenge," Barker said.
"Mick Malthouse was one of the great coaches of all time and he's had a very big impact on this place and on football in general, and on individuals.
"So there's going to be differences in the way guys deal with that. But we've got to do our best to keep them focused for tomorrow night. How we manage that is going to be really important over the next 24 hours."
Dale Thomas is a close friend of Malthouse, but Barker expected the midfielder to deliver a professional performance against the Swans – with Carlton already without stars Bryce Gibbs (back) and Chris Judd (knee).
"Daisy obviously had a great relationship with Mick, but Daisy is a competitor and we know that tomorrow night when we get out there he'll be giving his all," he said.
"(No Gibbs or Judd) just makes the challenge even bigger and that just means that a new group of guys get the opportunity to step up and show that they can give us an effort."
Barker to give the Blues' list a 'once-over'
In positive news, veteran Andrew Walker travelled with the team to Sydney after two weeks out with a knee injury, while spearhead Lachie Henderson (hamstring) is also expected to return.
A new era under Barker is likely to see more opportunities for younger players, and Nick Holman and Nick Graham were among the players checking in at the airport.
Holman, who turns 20 on Friday, has not appeared this season but he impressed by gathering 13 touches and laying 11 tackles in a shutdown role for the Northern Blues last weekend.
Graham was the VFL side's best player with 23 disposals in a narrow loss to Essendon, and the 20-year-old could add to his solitary appearance this year in round six.
Barker said he would sit down with list manager Stephen Silvagni at some point to map out a strategy for the remaining matches this season.
"We will, but we need to do that in good time. Right now we've got a pretty heavy task ahead of us tomorrow night and we're looking at that," the coach said.
