CARLTON forward Jarrad Waite believes the Blues’ biggest challenge will come this Friday night when his side faces reigning premier Geelong at Etihad Stadium.

Carlton’s 89-point demolition of arch-rivals Richmond virtually secured their place in the finals, with the Blues sitting sixth on the ladder and ahead of the Sydney Swans on percentage.

Brett Ratten’s men have won their previous two encounters against the second-placed Cats and Waite is confident the Blues can spring a surprise and continue to build momentum towards a finals assault.

“They are going to go a long way in the finals and we know at our best we can match them,” he said.

“We are just looking forward to the challenge and we know the heat this week will be exactly like the pressure of finals.”

With the performances of ruck duo Robert Warnock and Shaun Hampson continuing to impress, it is new recruit Lachie Henderson who Waite believes will be the cornerstone of Carlton success in the future.

Waite and Henderson combined for seven goals in the win over the Tigers, with the pair starting to form a formidable partnership up forward.

“Lachie and I took a little bit of time to gel together playing forward, but now he has really found his feet and he has been really good for us,” Waite said.

“He takes a really good mark. He has been thrown back at times; he is really performing well and has fitted in nicely.”

Two weeks ago the Blues were handed a 48-point hiding by a red-hot Collingwood outfit and Waite acknowledged the team had learned plenty of valuable lessons from the top of the table Pies.

“Their forward line is just amazing… [you notice] how easier it is if your forward line is putting the pressure on and you get the turnovers and shots on goal,” he said.

“We have always been pretty good with our pressure, always focusing on it.

“Having the Aboriginal boys down there, they have always been really good at it and it’s something we are all trying to learn from.”