Carlton coach Josh Fraser expects the Blues' young stars to take their stunning home-and-away form into the knockout rounds.
Riding high after 11 wins from 14 starts in Fraser's tenure, Carlton will start as slight favourites in their wildcard bout against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.
Nick Haynes returns from an ankle injury to bolster the Blues' backline, while Demons coach Steven King has called up experienced midfielder Jack Viney for his first senior game of the season.
Viney has made just one VFL appearance on return from Achilles and back injuries.
Jake Melksham and Xavier Taylor also return for the Dees, with defensive pillar Jake Lever (toe) and Matt Jefferson (knee) unavailable.
Carlton boast two of the competition's finest young players in ball magnet Jagga Smith and key defender Harry Dean, who both shape as important figures in the knockout clash.
Smith was the clear winner of the Rising Star at the AFL awards on Tuesday night, while Dean took out the best first-year player.
"They’ll be fine. They’ll be completely fine," Fraser responded on Thursday when asked how the young players will perform in finals.
"They’re good young kids who have calm heads on their shoulders and they’re well supported by our experienced players.
"Jagga has had a very consistent season ... he’s just a terrific young man that’s going to be a great leader of this football club.
"And Harry Dean has already attached himself to our supporters, he’s a cult hero already and we love having him at the club."
The Demons' hopes of progressing into the final eight rest firmly on captain Max Gawn.
Fresh off a record ninth All-Australian appearance, Gawn is coming off a best-on-ground performance in Melbourne's defeat to the Western Bulldogs last Saturday.
Gawn and fellow All-Australian Kysaiah Pickett are game-breakers with premiership experience that Carlton don't have.
'Pitto’ (Marc Pittonet) has been in really strong form for us, we’ve got a lot of confidence that he’ll be able to nullify some of Max’s influence - as good as Max has been," Fraser said.
“Then there’s the obvious one where Max is able to influence around the ground.
"We’ll plan for that as best we can and acknowledge he’s a great player that will have an impact.
"We’re going to have to make sure we can nullify that."
