CARLTON captain Chris Judd says he can sense something special building at the Blues as the club searches for its 17th premiership.

The Blues have not won a flag since defeating Geelong in the 1995 Grand Final, but more importantly have not won a final since they beat Adelaide in an elimination final in 2001.

Already a premiership player with West Coast in 2006, Judd says he can sense a similar feeling around the club at Carlton that he experienced during the Eagles' premiership tilt.

"Yeah you sort of do [get the sense that something special is building at Carlton]," Judd said on Monday from the Blues' recovery session at the Peninsula Hot Springs in Rye.

"I think those [feelings] really are things you look back on after the event and go 'oh I did feel the same'.

"When you're going through it you're pretty much too caught up in the week-to-week of getting your body right, getting through training to really sit back and analyse how it all feels."

The Blues haven't beaten a top four side this season, having already lost to Geelong (two points) and Collingwood (28 points) and are yet to face top-four fancy Hawthorn.

But Judd says the third-placed Blues are slowly closing the gap on the competition leaders.

"I think we're certainly improving but there's no doubt that those two sides [Geelong and Collingwood] are ahead of the rest of [the competition]," Judd said.

"Geelong are obviously yet to lose a game and Collingwood are probably still regarded, and justifiably so, as the best team in the comp.

"We're working really hard on what we're doing and I think everyone has seen some really good improvements out of us this year."

One of the key improvements this season has been a more even spread of contributors from the playing group, which has relieved some of the pressure on Judd, who in the past has been heavily relied on to lift the side.

Judd was held to just eight disposals in the first half against the Sydney Swans by Craig Bird, but the likes of Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Mitch Robinson stood up, like they have all year, and propelled the side to a 34-point win.

The skipper said the rise of some of the younger players will play a key role in fulfilling his, and the club's, dream of winning another premiership.

"Murph's season all year has been remarkable and he's not alone either," Judd said.

"Robbo's having a really good year, [Michael] Jamison down back has been fantastic for us and the list goes on.

"It's been great for me. For me to have that fulfillment [of a flag with Carlton] in my career if you like, I'm going to need that. It's been really exciting to not only see the guys develop but just to see how important they've all been to our group's development, it's been great."

The Blues face big improvers West Coast on Sunday at Etihad Stadium, and the Eagles will be keen to claim their first top-four scalp of the year.

West Coast forward Mark LeCras said on Monday that he was confident his side had the weaponry to match competition heavyweights Carlton.

But Judd was quick to play the comments down, saying his side was yet to earn such a title.

"Geelong has won two premierships in three or four years, Collingwood are the reigning premiers and the Hawks won a premiership [in 2008]," Judd said.

"This club is yet to win a final in 10-plus years so we've got to earn the right before we start talking up a big game and we're aware of that."

Carlton will head into the clash without ruckman Shaun Hampson who sustained a grade two strain of the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Hampson will miss six to eight weeks, opening the door for Robbie Warnock to return to the senior side.

Midfielder David Ellard is also in doubt after he suffered concussion after he was slung to the ground by Swans ruckman Shane Mumford.

Ellard was taken to hospital after the match as a precaution and will be monitored this week before a selection decision is made.