A SENSE of deja vu. 

In the last nine months, Carlton has faced Melbourne more than any other team, including finals and pre-season outings, so the prospect of facing the Demons again at the MCG is one Bluebaggers are familiar with. 

The last four outings between the two sides have been decided by less than 20 points, with Carlton's two wins coming by two and four points last year in Round 22 and the semi final. 

It just adds another layer of excitement to this clash, with both sides matching up so well. It's hard to find too many advantages that one team has over the other, and it's sure to be another close encounter in front of another big MCG crowd.

Melbourne's star-studded defenders Jake Lever and Stephen May will line up against Coleman Medallists Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, while Christan Petracca and Clayton Oliver will be going head-to-head with skipper Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh. 

AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss is well aware of the challenge that affronts his side on Thursday night, and he believes seizing the little moments will be the deciding factor in this Round 9 clash. 

“I don’t think this is about one contest or one moment, this is going to be a series of moments over 120 minutes that need to get done,” Voss said. 

“There are some good reference points to last year and some moments we can take with us that build belief that we can get the job done. But in reality, our job is being able to execute what is in front of us.” 

Carlton’s two-ruck combination has been a positive part of their game in recent weeks, with Marc Pittonet leading the charge assisted by Tom De Koning.

With Max Gawn, Petracca and Oliver all at their best, the midfield and contest battle will be a must-watch space for all footy fans. 

“When you look at Melbourne’s strengths, they’ve got a real strength [in the midfield] with Gawn, Petracca and Oliver and all the names that sit around that part of the ground,” he said.  

“It will be a pretty good contest around there, they’ve got some big bulls around there and so do we, so it’ll be a strong contest.”

Moving on from a last-minute loss to the Pies last weekend, Voss explained collective defence was a big focus for the Blues, wanting all 18 players on the ground to contribute.

With Melbourne ranking first in the league for rebound 50s, stopping their run and locking the ball in the forward half will be key for Carlton to gain momentum in front of goal. 

“We talk about the defensive system as a collective, it’s an 18-man unit that we need,” he said. 

“Whether that’s from forwards or defenders, that’s what we feel like we get our biggest shift from. [Melbourne’s] defensive structures are very strong and they’ve shown that not just over the short term, but over a long period of time.

“For us, we need to make sure we understand that and that’s the environment we’re walking into but we’ve got to bring a similar approach and take our opportunities to get them.”