DEFIANT Carlton coach Brendon Bolton insists the Blues have plenty of hope for the future after watching his plucky young outfit almost snatch an upset victory against West Coast in Perth on Saturday night. 

The Blues trailed by 35 points midway through the second quarter but piled on six goals in a blistering third term to hit the front by six points.

But against the breeze in the last term Carlton couldn't stop Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy inspiring West Coast to a 17-point victory.

Carlton has now lost eight in a row and could soon be leapfrogged by last-placed Brisbane Lions, however Bolton is bullish about the Blues' future.

"We've got hope, never question that. We know exactly where we're going," Bolton said.

"We're getting games into kids, we're developing our style, we're right in games up to our teeth.

"You don’t play like we did today away from home when a team is fighting for finals like West Coast were and question hope – there's a lot of hope."

Bolton declared 'winning' the wooden spoon was the last thing on his mind with two games to go.

"Never brought it up, never will. We look to learn and grow every week. The outcome will be the outcome," he said. 

The Blues were well served by skipper Marc Murphy, star Bryce Gibbs and ruckman Matthew Kreuzer on Saturday night, but there was also plenty to like from their youngsters.

Jack Silvagni booted two long-range goals in an impressive third term, Jarrod Pickett showed plenty of dash, Sam Petrevski-Seton won six clearances and Charlie Curnow kicked a clutch goal in a tense final term.

"You've got to live those moments to grow from them, and under pressure (Curnow) went back and kicked the goal and that will pay him back in spades in terms of mindset," Bolton said.

"I know Jack missed one but then nailed a couple of set shots as well.

"Sam Petrevski-Seton's last quarter was exciting, ‘Gibb’ and ‘Murph’ as leaders willed themselves along again. 

"There's lots of little things, it's just telling us yet with the profile of our list, the season's told us we're not quite ready to win those games when it's close.

"But we do think they're going to be great learning opportunities."

The Blues face a tough finish to the season, with Hawthorn to come at Etihad Stadium next round before they take on a rampant Sydney at the SCG in Round 23.