JARRAD Waite's five-goal haul in Carlton's 96-point drubbing of Essendon was a timely reminder of the importance of the key forward's importance to the Blues' line-up.

Waite, 29, hasn't played more than 16 matches in a season since 2008 and was sidelined for 10 games after round seven this year with a back complaint.

His absence was a large factor as the Blues struggled through the middle part of the season and Brett Ratten is delighted to have him back in the team as Carlton mounts a late bid to make the finals.

"Waite is our Cloke, our Franklin, our Goodes," Ratten said.

"He's what Brown is to Brisbane, Walker to Adelaide, Hawkins for Geelong - that's the equivalent - so when you take them out they're not easily replaced.

"I think it just shows the value of when you get A-grade players, having them on the park helps your team. We've had the inconsistency in being able to get him out there for most of the season in the past three or four [years]."

Carlton skipper Chris Judd echoed those sentiments and added that Waite's presence was more than just a positive inside attacking 50.

"I don't know if there's anything more valuable in modern day footy than contested marks - particularly in your forward line because usually you're going up against a 'plus one'," Judd said.

"If you've got blokes up there who can take contested marks it allows you to set up behind the ball. It helps all over the ground.

"[He's] really important to our structures."