CARLTON midfielder David Ellard says the next month of football will provide the Blues with the perfect opportunity to prepare for their finals assault as the race for the top four heats up.

With Carlton travelling west to take on Fremantle next round and a blockbuster clash against the Hawks at Etihad Stadium the following week, Ellard knows how crucial these results will be for the Blues if they are to secure that crucial double chance.

After the bye in round 23, the Blues then face St Kilda at the MCG.

"We have a massive month ahead of us and all the boys know that," he told carltonfc.com.au.

"We have to make sure we are on top of our game every week because obviously flying to Perth next week and then backing it up against Hawthorn the week after, we have to make sure we are playing our best footy at the right end of the season."

Speaking after the Blues smashed the Demons by 76-points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, Ellard admitted his side was wary of Melbourne's ability to bounce back from heavy defeats this season.

Last week Geelong inflicted on the Demons the second biggest defeat in the history of the game with their 186-point demolition that led to the sacking of coach Dean Bailey.

"We knew they were going to come out firing. We had to maintain our structures and the way we play and match them in the first quarter," he said.

"We knew if we could match it with them in the first quarter from the physicality side of things we could slowly grind away."

Ellard said the upheaval at Melbourne during the week had little effect on his teammates, with his side squarely focused on securing the four points in order to maintain their advantage over fifth-placed West Coast.

"It didn't play too much on our minds. We knew Melbourne were going to come out firing, as every team does each week," he said.

"We always have the big blockbuster games. Two weeks ago, we knew Essendon always get up for us and we knew Melbourne were going to get up for us as well."

"We just have to make sure we keep playing the way we want to play and play to our structures."

Selected as a rookie in 2008 and elevated to the senior list in 2010, the journey has been a long one for Ellard. However the tough midfielder continues to impress the navy blue faithful.

After playing the last seven matches of season 2010, Ellard has managed 15 games this season, averaging almost 15 possessions a game and seven tackles.

Against the Demons, the 22-year-old added another string to his bow, kicking three first-half goals to go with his 18 possessions in yet another solid performance.

With Carlton set to regain Andrew Carrazzo (calf), Jarrad Waite (hip) and Michael Jamison (knee) in the coming weeks and with Jordan Russell, Kane Lucas and Ed Curnow continuing to impress in the VFL, Brett Ratten will have some selection headaches over the next month.

However Ellard is hopeful he can cement a place in the senior line-up and play a role for the Blues in September.

"It's taken a while but I feel a lot more comfortable out there and a lot more part of it now. It's been a long journey, but a good one," he said.