Carlton coach Brett Ratten says it is time for his team to justify the hype surrounding it this season as the Blues run the risk of dropping from the top eight if they again lose to arch rivals Essendon at the MCG on Friday night.

The Blues' own membership campaign slogan this year was 'They Know We're Coming' yet while there is no doubt Carlton is enjoying its best season since its last finals appearance since 2001, the club has still only won six of its first 12 games.

It has also lost five games by 19 points or less, raising doubts about the Blues' ability to perform under pressure in close games while it has lost its past four against Essendon - including a four-point loss at the MCG in Round 3 this season.

Ratten said on Tuesday it was time for the Blues' to stop talking themselves up and starting backing the hype surrounding the club by putting wins on the board.

"As a club we have been on the front foot with our (membership) slogan and from a membership and marketing point of view it has been a great tactic for us but now let's pull our horns in a bit and let our actions do the talking," he said.

"The ball is back in our court, we have got 10 games to go and an opportunity here (to play finals for the first time in eight years) so it's now a matter of how we return serve this week from Essendon and then so on and so on."

Ratten has left his players in no doubt as to the stakes on Friday night as the Blues seek their first win against their arch rivals in two years.

"From our point of view it is a big game," he said.

"The opportunity is there to catapult your season and a win would be a huge bonus for both teams."

"It will give one team that extra boost to possibly push for that last spot in the top four and then there is the extra confidence that comes with beating your arch enemy."

But while the Blues are set to be boosted by the return of their most experienced defender Bret Thornton from a hamstring strain, Essendon coach Matthew Knights says the stakes are just as high for his team as the Bombers again prepare to play the role of giantkillers.

While Essendon is one place behind Carlton on the ladder and has the same number of wins, the Bombers are seen to have overachieved this season - given their young list - compared to a Blues side that is further ahead in their development as recent No.1 draft picks Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy all begin to mature.

And unlike Carlton, Essendon has performed superbly in big games this season - having not only beat the Blues earlier this season but also having scored a memorable last kick victory over Collingwood on Anzac Day.

"Both teams have got no excuses on Friday night," Knights said on Tuesday.

"Both have got good line-ups that are reasonably healthy following the mid-season break so it's all guns ablazing and see who comes out on top."

And Knights said the stakes were just as high for the Bombers, who are suddenly in with a real chance of a first finals appearance since 2004 despite - unlike Carlton - having been given little chance of making the finals at the start of the season.

"If you look at it in that context (both clubs trying to end long finals' droughts) then this game is huge and that is why there should be 80,000 people there and why this game is such a big part of this week's football calendar."