FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey says he will begin to rest his promising first-year players after Carlton steamrolled his tiring side in the final quarter of Sunday’s 15-point loss at Subiaco Oval.

In an effort to rebuild Fremantle but also to cover a spate of injuries, Harvey has blooded nine debutants in 2009, eight of which have been first-year players.

He indicated gun youngsters Stephen Hill and Nick Suban, who have played every game this season, were first in line for a rest, possibly as early as next week.

Both burst out of the blocks against the Blues with 15 first-quarter possessions between them as Fremantle built a 28-point quarter-time lead.

But they combined for just 18 more, personifying the fading Fremantle's lack of run as it conceded six of the game's last seven goals.

"I'm going to have to [rest them], just to do the right thing by them," Harvey said after the match. 

"Suban and Hill have carried the weight the whole year so far.

"I think we're the only side, along with possibly Melbourne, that's carrying six first-year players into games.

"That's no excuse. Carlton ran over the top of us."

With key midfielders Ryan Crowley and Rhys Palmer, as well as skipper Matthew Pavlich, on the sidelines, Harvey said his young players were struggling to shut the opposition's best playmakers out of the game.

Carlton midfielders Chris Judd (35 possessions), Marc Murphy (27) and Bryce Gibbs (33) were the dominant players on the ground. All three lifted in the final quarter when Fremantle was spent. 

"It's a huge issue for us, particularly when you lose the quality of guys that we've got [injured] at the moment," Harvey said.

"We're plugging holes regularly, and we're finding that the opposition's more seasoned midfielders are tearing us apart as the game goes on."

Harvey said his players were learning from playing on the best, and in time the side would curtail stars like Carlton's trio for longer periods.

Positive notes for the coach were Luke McPharlin's impressive game in the forward line and Hayden Ballantyne's energetic second match. Both booted three goals.

Aaron Sandilands had a rare quiet game, finishing with nine disposals, 26 hit-outs and a goal.

Harvey denied his stand-in captain was injured, saying the giant ruckman was carrying a massive workload and needed to spend more time in the forward line.

Andrew Foster, who was a late withdrawal on Sunday with a minor calf injury, is in doubt for next week's trip to face Adelaide, while Dean Solomon will be available after serving a club-imposed one-match suspension.

Michael Johnson continues to struggle with an ankle injury, with Harvey saying the club would need to reassess the extent of his ailment.

Vote for your best on ground now - Carlton Natural Blonde People’s Champion