CARLTON must topple unbeaten St Kilda if it is to win three straight games for the first time under Brett Ratten and the coach is excited about the challenge presented by Friday night's clash.

The Blues have put away West Coast and the Brisbane Lions in the last two weeks, but Ratten said the team's next opponent was on another level.

"I think win, lose or draw we'll get a real assessment of where our group is at against a quality opposition – it's a good measuring stick," he said from Visy Park on Wednesday morning.

"It's a great challenge for us. We're playing the top team, they haven't lost, we haven't beaten them since round 20, 2001. There's not too many bigger challenges in footy at the moment.

"On the flip side we've won two games in a row and we haven't won three for such a long time … so that's our challenge as well.

"I think the opportunity [to win] is always there against anyone, but we'll have to win our fair share of the footy and I think they're one of the best teams at winning first possession in the competition."

The Blues have not won three games in succession since defeating Richmond in round 13, 2004 – on the back of victories over Adelaide and Hawthorn.

Ratten spoke to the group about reaching that goal after last week's match, but maintained sharper concentration was required if they were to down the Saints.

"I think everyone needs to focus on what they have to do in the first minute of the game, then the next five minutes, then the first quarter [and so on]," he said.

"If you don't get that right, then they just kick multiple goals very easily and open the game up."

Ratten admitted his group contained some sore players at the halfway mark of the season, but said the squad had been kept off its feet during a light week of training.

Carlton's match committee meets on Wednesday afternoon with Richard Hadley, Chris Yarran, Greg Bentley and Adam Hartlett pushing their claims for selection after strong performances in the VFL.

"There's a little bit of debate over just how you play St Kilda and the right match-ups and run versus height and things like that," Ratten said.

"I wouldn't say there would be a lot of changes, but there might be changes."

Carlton enters the match in fourth place on the ladder and in a positive frame of mind.

"Take away the ladder position and I think the two wins have really helped to get the mood back where we'd like it," Ratten said.

"There's a big difference in the mood of a footy club on a Monday if you've won or lost, but it's really helped us to just get back out on the track with a positive vibe and self-esteem that I think is really good for the group."