CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton has defended his club's medical staff despite their decision to give defender Sam Rowe the all-clear to return to the field in Sunday's 35-point loss to Fremantle.
Rowe will undergo scans on Monday to determine the extent of damage to his right knee, with the possibility his season could be over.
The 29-year-old injured his knee early in the match when Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe dived across Rowe's body in an attempted smother.
Rowe hobbled off and received lengthy treatment, before returning to the field with his knee strapped.
However, Rowe collapsed to the ground in pain just moments later after his right knee buckled while he leaned against his opponent.
Bolton said he was unsure if Rowe had torn his anterior cruciate ligament.
But he said he had no concerns that the club's medical staff allowed Rowe to go back onto the field.
"No, true professionals our doctors, true professionals," Bolton said.
"I'm just crossing my fingers it's all OK."
When asked about the seriousness of Rowe's injury, Bolton didn't rule out the possibility of an ACL tear.
"It could be all sorts with knees – medial, lateral, ACL – so I just hope it's on the lesser side," Bolton said.
"He didn't play so there's something there.
"He's okay, he's a strong character, but it's the unknown at the moment."
The Blues burst out of the blocks and established a 28-point lead by midway through the first quarter, but they were reduced to just two fit men on the bench before half-time when Dale Thomas was ruled out with blurred vision after copping a hip to the head from teammate Alex Silvagni.
The Dockers dominated from quarter-time onwards, booting 12 goals to three to run out convincing 35-point winners.
Bolton refused to use the injuries as an excuse and said his side needs to become more resilient.
WATCH: Brendon Bolton's full post-match media conference
"This game is so even – the competition is so difficult – (the injuries) have to have an impact on rotations because all the little things add up, but we are a no-excuses footy club," Bolton said.
"It was a different set of circumstances for our players, limited rotations.
"Our group has to learn to endure in those times.
"You've got to stay out there for longer so that's a new experience for a young group.
"They wouldn't have faced that before, quite a few on our list, where you've got to have far more game time.
"That's new, but that's what you've got to work through."
Five talking points: Fremantle v Carlton
Thomas suffered concussion and blurred vision in the second quarter after clashing with teammate Alex Silvagni, while Sam Docherty sported bandages on his head throughout the second half.
Bolton said key forward Liam Jones was a chance to face North Melbourne next Sunday after showing good form playing for the Northern Blues.
