CARLTON coach David Teague knows his side's leaky defence has to tighten up overall but is happy to take on the Western Bulldogs in an AFL shootout.

The Blues have conceded an average of 91.4 points per game in 2021 - ranked 13th in the competition - and face a stingy Bulldogs giving up 62.4 points across the opening seven rounds.

The Dogs are also the competition's best attacking side, averaging 98 points a game, with more than half of their outings resulting in triple-figure tallies.

But Teague believes an open and instinctive style of game suits his players and has urged Carlton to attack at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

"If we concede a big score, we've just got to make sure we kick a bigger score," Teague said on Thursday.

"It's scores for versus scores against and I'll be honest, I think this game could be really exciting.

"It might be a high-scoring game and I think both teams will do their best defensively, but it could end up being a more offensive game."

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Teague described defence as the Blues' "biggest growth area" as they seek to end their finals drought.

"We want to improve that area, absolutely," he said.

"We've got to get better at it, but each game you've got to play the game on its merits.

"The West Coast-Bulldogs game (in round two) was quite high-scoring and the Bulldogs got the win, and that's our challenge.

"There's no point having a really good, dour game if you don't score enough points to win the game as well."

Carlton could be bolstered by the return of Zac Williams (soreness) and Marc Murphy (neck) against the Bulldogs, with Jack Silvagni (shoulder) and Paddy Dow (eye) also in the mix.

But Mitch McGovern won't be available for at least the next two months after suffering a high-grade hamstring injury.

"It's a serious injury and it's disappointing because I thought he was really starting to come into some form," Teague said.

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Meanwhile, Teague has no concerns over the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of out-of-contract captain Patrick Cripps.

Carlton CEO Cain Liddle said more than a month ago he thought Cripps was on the verge of re-signing with the club but a deal has not yet been struck with the unrestricted free agent.

"I'm not worried and I don't think our fans should be worried," Teague said.