Melbourne defender Jared Rivers is confident the Demons won't freeze when they step into the Friday night spotlight.
The clash against fifth-placed Carlton at the MCG will be just the third time in four seasons the Demons have taken centre stage on Friday night.
And Rivers believes it is for that reason, the young Melbourne line-up will not shy away from the big occasion against a Blues combination he rates among the AFL's best.
"Everyone's going to be watching and we've got a great opportunity against Carlton, who are a top-four team, to really take it up to them," Rivers said.
"We love playing on a Friday night, but we haven't played for a while. The boys are looking forward to getting out there against Carlton and having a real crack."
The Demons go into the clash fresh from a 20-point loss to St Kilda that left the club in 10th place through nine rounds.
Rivers acknowledges the next three weeks will make or break Melbourne's season as they face Carlton, Essendon and then Collingwood in the annual Queen's Birthday blockbuster.
"These next three weeks are pretty important for us as a footy club, it's definitely going to be a real test for us as a playing group, coaching staff to match it with the best teams in the competition at the moment," Rivers said.
"It's disappointing we keep doing this rollercoaster ride, we can't keep on saying we-ve got a young group any more."
"We've got to stick at it and if we can keep putting four quarters of footy, which we did against Adelaide, more often, it's definitely going to make us improve and be a better team."
"Hopefully starting Friday night we can show everyone we're very competitive and take it up to Carlton. That's the challenge we-re looking forward to."
Already crippled by a lengthy injury list headlined by star ruckman Mark Jamar, talented midfielder Tom Scully and quality defender Jack Grimes, Melbourne suffered a further blow with Luke Tapscott set to miss a fortnight.
The rising backman sustained a hamstring injury in the first quarter against the Saints, further depleting coach Dean Bailey's options.
But the injury crisis may not save Aaron Davey, who gathered just nine possessions against St Kilda.
Rivers believes the Demons need to keep the faith in their vice-captain, saying a return to form is imminent.
"He's a proud person and not happy with his form at the moment," Rivers said.
"He's a very important player to the playing group, we all love the ball being in his hands. We've just got to stick by him, we know he can play some great footy for us and hopefully things will turn around for him."