Carlton coach Brendon Bolton has cautioned his players against staging in the wake of an incident involving Blaine Boekhorst in last Sunday's loss to the Sydney Swans.

Boekhorst was awarded a free kick for high contact after Swan Dane Rampe tried to tackle him, converting the resultant set shot for goal from about 40m.

Bolton conceded on Wednesday that a free kick shouldn't have been paid to Boekhorst, but said he had only become aware of the incident after it was highlighted in reports on Tuesday night.

"It hasn't been a trend in our game. It's not going to be a trend because we don't want to be a team that goes into that area," Bolton said on Wednesday.

"We've had a reminder, but it's not a trend. It's the first time I've noticed it and it's only been brought to my attention in the media.

"It's been spoken about, a brief comment. I wouldn't think you'll see it from Carlton players."

Asked whether he felt Boekhorst had staged for a free kick, Bolton said: "Make your own assessment on that."

Staging is a reportable offence punishable by a warning at first instance and a fine for subsequent offences. The Match Review Panel did not cite Boekhorst for staging after reviewing incidents from round two on Monday. 

Carlton faces a tough match against the undefeated Gold Coast on Saturday night at Metricon Stadium.

After missing most of last year with a shoulder injury, Suns captain Gary Ablett has opened 2016 in strong form.

Asked whether he would consider tagging Ablett, Bolton suggested there was still a place for taggers in the AFL but said the Blues' match committee had yet to finalise its plans for the two-time Brownlow medallist.

Bolton said Suns spearhead Tom Lynch was another "big job" the Blues would have to address in their pre-match planning, with first-year defender Jacob Weitering likely to spend some time on the Gold Coast vice-captain.

Former Giant Lachie Plowman returned for his first game since hip surgery in the VFL last Saturday, playing half a match for the Northern Blues in defence. 

Bolton was hopeful that, form permitting, Plowman could make his club debut for Carlton in "the next few weeks".

"We need to be a footy club that bases that on form and how he performs, and he played a half on the weekend, which was really promising," Bolton said.

"If he can continue that form, it will be sooner rather than later."