Carlton coach John Barker says Saturday’s impending clash with ladder leader Fremantle will be a terrific education for his young players.

With a growing injury list Carlton is likely to take some of its young stars on the trip west this weekend.

In his weekly message to members Barker said he’s expecting the Dockers to come out “breathing fire” … and his players will need to show more than they did in the disappointing result against Richmond.

“We probably need to sustain the type of effort that we’ve had in previous weeks, I don’t think we quite hit the same level that we have,” Barker said.

“Some of our transition probably wasn’t as good as we’d like, and we know that our skill level needs to grow – as individuals and as a team we need to take responsibility for that.”

One highlight from the game against the Tigers was a courageous mark taken by young gun Dylan Buckley, which has been nominated for the AFL’s Mark of the Year.

“The thing that stands out most for me in that mark is his bravery running back with the flight and then as he went to ground the ability to still hold on to the ball,” Barker said.

“It was a good result for him – he was a little bit flat last week that he wasn’t nominated for goal of the week – so to get that little reward was good.

“But as we know we’re about team, and he played his role quite well on the weekend, and that’s what’s most important.”

The Blues face the Dockers at Subiaco on Saturday at 5.40pm (WST).