CARLTON'S win against the Brisbane Lions kept the Blues within striking distance of the teams fighting it out for a top-eight spot, but Jeff Garlett says his side can't afford to focus on the bigger finals picture.

Following the 36-point win at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, Carlton sits 11th on the ladder with 40 points, behind St Kilda on percentage, and one win behind North Melbourne (7th), Essendon (8th) and Fremantle (9th).

With Chris Judd returning from suspension for next week's crucial clash against the Bombers, the Blues have kept themselves in the hunt for a finals berth with three wins from their past four games.
 
"There's a big bunch of teams fighting for the top eight this year and anything can happen, but we're just glad to get the four points and move onto the next step," Garlett said.

"I don't know how other players look at it, but for me I've just got to take each step as it comes. Whatever happens in the next three games we'll cop it on the chin and hopefully we'll keep getting the four points.

"It's been a tough year with a few injuries and stuff, but you can't blame that. We'll stick together, keep playing for each other and the team and hopefully we'll play finals footy."

Click here to view Garlett's career stats

Garlett continued his emergence from a lean patch - he could only manage two goals in six games through the middle of the season - with a three-goal return in the win against the Lions.

With Jarrad Waite, Andrew Walker and Mitch Robinson returning from injury over the past two weeks, Garlett is happy to be pulling his weight alongside Eddie Betts, who has remained one of the few constants in the Blues' forward line this season.
 
"I'm still trying to get back to my best," he said.

"I'm just trying to tick each box as it comes along. It was good to get a few goals and hopefully I can build on that next week. It's little steps for me.

"Eddie's been really good for us all year. I was the one who was letting him down, so I'm just trying to get better to help him out in the forward line.

"It's good to have those guys back too. Waitey's back in there providing the big target and with big Levi [Casboult] there as well it's good to try and get at their feet. Walks can play small and tall, so it's good to have both of those guys in so we have a more even forward line."

Betts was subbed out of Saturday night's game at three-quarter time after copping a knock to a calf, but coach Brett Ratten said he would be fit to take on Essendon in the season-defining match at the MCG.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.