Carlton defender Andrew McInnes says recent form will count for nothing when the Blues run out against Essendon on Saturday. 

The match is shaping as an elimination final for Carlton, after the Blues kept their season alive with a thrilling victory over Richmond. 

It looked to be curtains early in the weekend's match, after the Tigers leapt to a 30-point lead in the opening quarter. 

But the Blues came back in the second, McInnes telling radio RSN they were determined to put up a fight. 

"Guys like Brock McLean, Mitch Robinson, I think all the leaders really stood up in that second quarter and really pushed us in the right direction," McInnes said. 

"I don't know how he does it Brock, but he just runs to amazing spaces and as soon as you look up the field he's always in a paddock of his own."

McInnes also heaped praise on teammates Levi Casboult and Ed Curnow. 

Casboult finished with three goals, while Curnow was effective in shutting down Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin. 

"Ed does an amazing job for us week in, week out," McInnes said. "He's just got the engine to run all day – and in general he's just a bit of a pest, so I think the match–up worked well."