Carlton defender Michael Jamison has declared Sunday night's 81-point loss to Essendon the worst defeat he has ever experienced.

The Blues were outclassed across the ground and were never in the game against Essendon after a six goals to none first quarter.

They lost every quarter and have awoken on Monday to stinging criticism from pundits and fans alike.

"It's certainly the worst loss I've been involved in," deputy vice-captain Jamison said. 

"It's worse when you think about the supporters and everyone who works at the club who you've let down.

"It was clear that Essendon just out-worked us in every part of the ground ... in the end it just came down to work-rate and effort."

Jamison took the blame off the shoulders of coach Mick Malthouse, saying the problem didn't lie with the game-plan.

"The problem is with the execution," he said.

"We've got full trust in the game-plan, we're just not carrying it out for long enough."

The Carlton leadership group convened a players' meeting after the 13-goal belting, and Jamison said it unveiled many home truths.

"It's a honest conversation with all the players," he said.

"If you can't give feedback to each other in an honest way, there's no way you can do it on the ground."

The Blues face Melbourne on Saturday afternoon, with at least one side guaranteed to end its winless start to the year.

Jamison said it would give the Blues the chance to right Sunday night's wrongs but foreshadowed changes to the team.

"We can turn this round in the shortest possible time," Jamison said.

"After a loss like that you can only assume there will be a few changes."