Carlton coach Denis Pagan has credited a little magic from one player - Brendan Fevola - and a collective display of guts from his entire 24-man squad for getting the Blues over the line by four points against Essendon in a NAB Cup thriller at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

Fevola had by far the better of his two opponents for the evening, Mal Michael and Dustin Fletcher, especially early-on with four first-half goals.

"He was outstanding, Brendan," Pagan told his post-match media conference.

"He's a very important player for us just the way he commands respect. Brendan kicked five himself, but he had to do it for a few others because everybody leaves their opponents and goes to Brendan."

Asked about two 'hands-in-the-back' decisions which went Fevola's way early and from which he converted both times, Pagan said: "I reckon if you play in front, it doesn’t matter whether your name is Brendan Fevola or Snowy off the tram, if they put their hands in your back, you're going to get a free kick.

"We're just so pleased that we were able to guts it out and that was probably the most positive thing.

"We asked our guys to answer one question before the game - whether we're going to compete for the four quarters - and I think our guys did that tonight."

"It’s such a demanding game now. Even at this early stage you wouldn't think you would see a NAB Cup game, the first game in Melbourne virtually since last season, to be played at that hectic pace."

Pagan said it had always been his aim to be conservative with first-gamer Bryce Gibbs, the Blues' star recruit, who started in the midfield before coming on and off the bench in the second-half for a return of seven possessions and one mark.

"We didn't want to chuck him in the deep end, we just wanted to make sure he got a good initiation," Pagan said.

"He dislocated his thumb and we didn't know he was going to play until Thursday when the doctor passed him fit. We couldn't have asked for any more."

Pagan singled out Jarrad Waite, playing his first game in defence, for the rebound he provided throughout the match, and Setanta O'hAilpin at full-back who held Bombers skipper Matthew Lloyd to two goals.

"Setanta took one sensational mark against the odds in the third quarter and, OK, he made a few blues but we expect that," Pagan said.

"I think he's played 12 AFL games."