Michael Voss has urged Carlton's midfielders to share the load better after Patrick Cripps' absence at a crucial moment in their AFL loss to Adelaide.

The Blues coach scoffed when asked about the start of the second term on Thursday night, when their two-time Brownlow Medallist had a spell on the bench.

Cripps had been influential in the first term, but was off the ground when the Crows started cutting loose.

Adelaide opened the second quarter with five goals in eight minutes and that proved pivotal in their 17.12 (114) to 12.14 (86) win. Cripps was resting until about five minutes into the term.

"The way forward is share the load and we don't ask any player to play 100 per cent of game time," Voss said.

"I can't believe those sorts of things are still questions. It's our midfield group that gets the job done.

"The skipper started great, he had a very good night and there were some players who returned to form.

"We also have to be better than a team that has to have him in there for the entirety."

Fellow midfielder George Hewett was dropped, but Voss stressed he would be back soon.

"He has a role to play for us. He's a special human being," Voss said.

The opening game of Gather Round was Carlton's third-straight loss, keeping the pressure on their embattled coach.

But it was an improved performance and they could regain defenders Jacob Weitering and Harry Dean next Thursday night against arch-rivals Collingwood.

"More guys playing better tonight, to get themselves in form, helps us," Voss said.

"We got a shift today and we'll keep exploring that."

Harry McKay worked hard for little reward, only kicking one goal, and Voss wondered aloud whether their key forward should have had a better run from the umpires.

"He could have been a little bit luckier, maybe, tonight in some contests," he said.

"He could have been rewarded a little bit more."

Ollie Hollands can expect match review scrutiny after his late challenge in a marking contest felled Taylor Walker, gifting the Crows veteran a 50m penalty and a goal.