Carlton coach Brett Ratten wants fiery defender Nick Duigan to maintain the rage but just tone down the body language a touch.

The Blues mentor has counselled Duigan following the game against Geelong on Friday, when the Norwood recruit clashed with a team-mate and an umpire.

Ratten says the first-year player needs to change how he expresses himself on the field.

Duigan launched into team-mate Bret Thornton with a verbal barrage after Geelong's Tom Hawkins scored an easy goal roving the ball off the pack on the unguarded goal-line in the second quarter.

The 26 year old was also furious the Blues hadn't been paid a free kick late in the third term.

He was penalised for arguing with the umpire, gifting Mathew Stokes a crucial goal for the Cats who eventually won by two points.

"It's how your body language is towards other people. There was probably a little bit of frustration," Ratten said on Tuesday.

"But when you look behind it, it was to get the best for the team.

"We spoke about how to do it. He is mindful.

"It was a soft goal (by Hawkins) which they kicked from the line.

"It didn't get punched through for a point, why is that?

"That was the frustration from Nick."

Ratten said mature-age recruits Duigan and Ed Curnow, 21, played with great spirit.

"That's the beauty of having players who are driven. They push the envelope," Ratten said.

"They challenge not just themselves but they challenge other individuals to succeed.

"Sometimes maybe they do cross the line just a little bit.

"We've had a chat about it and you probably won't see it again.

"Frustration can bubble over in individuals.

"Sometimes you might express yourselves with your body language or things like that maybe a little bit over the top.

"Just be mindful of your body language towards others."

Ratten said ruckman Robbie Warnock (concussion) would probably be replaced by Shaun Hampson for Friday's game against 10th-placed Melbourne at the MCG.

Ruckman-forward Matthew Kreuzer made a successful comeback from major knee surgery in the VFL last week, kicking two goals and having nine possessions in a half of football.

Ratten admitted he was tempted to rush 2007 No.1 draft pick Kreuzer back into the side but declared he and Ryan Houlihan (calf) would be given at least one more game in the VFL.

Skipper Chris Judd is expected to be fit to play despite spraining his ankle against Geelong, Ratten said.

Ratten said second-year Blue Brock McLean, who had 12 touches before being subbed off in his first AFL match of the season, had performed adequately but was not guaranteed a game against his old side Melbourne.

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