There'll be no letdown for the Blues in Friday night's clash with Melbourne at the MCG, according to Carlton assistant coach Mark Riley.
The Blues are rated a prohibitive $1.19 to atone for last week's two-point loss to Geelong in a blockbuster contest rated among the best of the AFL season so far.
Friday night's game, by comparison, is as low-key as they come, but Riley, who coached Melbourne in nine matches in 2007 - which included two wins over Carlton - after Neale Daniher stepped aside, expects the injury-hit Demons to be breathing fire.
"You always rate your opposition very highly," said Riley after the Blues' light training run at Visy Park on Thursday morning.
"It's a cut-throat league and if you go in with your guard down you can still (get beaten)."
"The last time I saw them live at the MCG was against the Adelaide Crows."
"They were ultra, ultra impressive, fierce at the contest, tackled hard and played a wonderful counter-attacking brand."
"That's what we'll be planning to play against."
While there were no guarantees from senior coach Brett Ratten earlier in the week, Riley confirmed that Brock McLean would line up for the first time against his former club.
The 25-year-old earned mixed reviews for his 12-possession performance against the Cats in his first match at AFL level since Round 13 last year.
Riley thinks he'll be better for the run.
"For a guy who was out for that long he was reasonable and he'll get another crack at it this week," he said.
"Our planning was if Brock got through two-and-a-half quarters and won some first possessions, won some clearances, made some tackles, then we tick that box."
"Now there are certain areas of his game like other players who played in the game versus Geelong that he probably didn't get a pass mark in."
"But Brock hasn't played AFL football for 12 months and the gap in intensity between AFL football and VFL football is quite high."
Riley nominated Shaun Hampson and Lachie Henderson as the leading contenders to replace ruckman Robbie Warnock who was only a 'slim chance' to play after being concussed against Geelong.
Riley said Chris Judd's professionalism had served him well in his recovery from a foot injury sustained against the Cats and he's fit to lead the Blues into battle.
"He's fine, he's a very resilient athlete," Riley said.
"He has had a pretty light week but he did some running the other day."
"In every facet of his game, he's the consummate professional, plus some."