CARLTON assistant coach Mark Riley says excitement levels around the club are high as the Blues genuinely look to making the finals for the first time since 2001.

Riley stressed the importance of enjoying the good moments in football when they came along.

"The club has been obviously quite suppressed and performances have been quite moderate over the last five years ... for a club that's won 16 premierships and used to being around the top, you've got to enjoy the moment," Riley said on Friday.

"If we all keep these stern faces and play the straight bats all of the time, then when do you get to experience when you've done well?"

The Blues meet Essendon on Sunday and will be looking to avenge their round three loss, when the Bombers triumphed by 16 points.

But Riley noted that plenty had changed since then, with recent results reflecting just how much Carlton had improved.

"Our young team has done pretty well over the last month so I think everyone should be excited.

"We still know internally we've got a fair to go -- a fair way to go -- but that's exciting."

More to follow . . .