Under-siege Essendon are determined to lift their on-field performance, but coach James Hird's Bombers are talking more about pride than actual victories.
While Essendon begin the second last round in seventh spot, two places higher than Carlton, the Blues will start favourites at the MCG on Saturday night.
Essendon's form has nose-dived with four consecutive losses.
The Bombers are locked in a monumental battle with the AFL over the club's use of supplements in 2012. Hird, the club and three other officials are facing charges of bringing the league into disrepute.
And the Bombers face the Blues (10-10 win-loss) who have beaten only two sides in the top eight, but one of those wins was last week against Richmond.
Essendon assistant coach Simon Goodwin says the Bombers are taking it step by step in what has been a stressful time.
"From the players' perspective, they really just want to get themselves back into some form that's competitive," Goodwin said on Friday.
"The last four weeks, we certainly haven't been proud of the way we've played.
"Expectation from the outside is really low at the moment but, internally, we still have really high expectations with each other and that's really important to us.
"We're playing Carlton this week and Richmond the week after.
"We're looking forward to the next two weeks, especially this week against Carlton, on putting on a performance we can actually walk away and say we're proud of.
"I'm confident that if we can put on a performance that would go for three, three-and-a-half quarters and keep us in the game, the guys would get some confidence in the way they go about it."
Goodwin has denied the Bombers are losing faith in Hird and says 21-year-old midfielder Jake Melksham's two-year contract extension announced on Friday shows the players are standing firm behind their coach.
Essendon have made four changes including the return of ruck/forward Paddy Ryder and key forward Michael Hurley, who's set for a crucial duel with Michael Jamison.
Jamison held Richmond's Jack Riewoldt goalless after quarter-time last week.
"When Michael Jamison's fit, he's one of the pre-eminent tall defenders in the comp," Carlton assistant coach John Barker says.
"Hurley's a very good forward. I'm sure at stages, 'Jamo' will find himself on Hurley."
Carlton regain Matthew Kreuzer who will combine with Robbie Warnock against Ryder and teenager Joe Daniher.
"We're a bit surprised Tom Bellchambers was omitted," Barker said.
"I don't think his form has been as good in the last week or two but he has been a good ruckman this year."
The Blues are relying on Fremantle to beat eighth-placed Port Adelaide (12-8) on Saturday night before Carlton play Port in round 23 in a possible playoff for eighth spot.
