Carlton coach expects youngsters to shine on big stage

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.

The Blues boast two of the competition's finest young players in Jagga Smith and Harry Dean.

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 to 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.

"We've stayed really well connected and nobody feels like they're alone out there.

"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.