“IT’S GOING to be a big one.”

Carlton is preparing for its Saturday night clash with Melbourne at the MCG and the stage is well and truly set.

AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss noted the challenge ahead as another good opportunity to play a top-eight side - the fourth in five weeks - and see if the team's system can hold up against an in-form Demons. 

What Voss is hoping for is belief in the system his side has been fine-tuning over the last two months, coupled with the an ability to execute with intensity and consistency under lights at the home of football. 

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to get out there and play our way against quality opposition,” Voss said. 

“They’ve been in some really strong form, and so have we. We should have some real strong belief in the system we’re playing at the moment and reliability on what we bring: we play against a team that’s been doing it for a while, so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The Blues are taking an unchanged 22 for the first time in three years, while the Demons will have Clayton Oliver return and Brodie Grundy elevated back to the senior side.

From a Carlton perspective, Voss was adamant that this won’t cause too many changes, but was also realistic about the impact the duo can have on the opposition's midfield. 

“It’s going to be a big battle, and with Grundy in there too with the two rucks, that midfield area is going to be a significant part of the game,” he said. 

“It helps Melbourne with their game and it helps set up our game. 

“There will be some really important battles that are won and lost, but we’re asking to get at it and even that battle in there and give our forwards some looks.”

While the Blues have improved the way they've executed their game plan since Round 14, Voss feels like the intent and motivation have been there all along.

Touching base with the playing group every week, Voss believes his team has a strong grasp what can and can't be achieved, needing unity and confidence to put the pieces together.

 “We’ve been having conversations every single week with the players - they may seem to be more important based on the time of the season and what was happening - but we have those conversations with our leaders every single week,” he said. 

“What we have to come up with is a really clear way forward. What I have been really impressed with is our entire group has bought into the most important parts of the game: we weren’t getting that right, we are now.

“We are determined to stay on this path, ensure we have those conversations constantly and that they’re timely so we get the change we’re after when we need it.”