CARLTON will likely need to weather an early storm against a hurting Melbourne team on Saturday, but Kade Simpson says the Blues can't get too carried away with what the Demons will dish up at the MCG.

Simpson, who endured some tough times early in his career at Carlton, knows the pain Melbourne's players are feeling after their 186-point hiding at the hands of Geelong and backs them to go hard to redeem themselves.

Even so, the 27-year-old said the Blues must stay true to the standards that have seen the team occupy a top-four spot for most of the season.
 
"It's probably going to be more about us," Simpson said after training at Visy Park on Friday.

"The way that we play with our structures and game plan. We've got to get that stuff right and I think we pulled all those things into place last week and came away with a good, hard-fought win.

"We're fighting for a top-four spot and Melbourne are coming off a tough week, but are still in the hunt for the finals. It's a big game for both clubs."

Brett Ratten made just one change to the team that defeated North Melbourne last weekend with Aaron Joseph replacing Ryan Houlihan.

Andrew Carrazzo will miss his fifth game with a calf injury, but Simpson declared him a near certainty to return next round after working well on the track throughout the week.

The Blues have entered the final phase of the home and away season and are intent on fine-tuning their line-up with Jarrad Waite, Shaun Hampson and Michael Jamison not far off returning from injury.

In other news, Simpson was asked his thoughts on the idea of the mid-year trade period floated by the AFL on Thursday and he admitted he has reservations.

"I think that's to do with American sports," he said.

"I'm not a fan of the NRL when guys sign up with other clubs while they're still playing for another club. I wouldn't be a fan of it. I think it's probably not in the spirit of the AFL.


"It could definitely have its benefits if sides are after a ruckman or they're struck hard with injuries. There could be some benefits, but I'm not really in favour of it."

He is, however, in favour of the possible return of State of Origin footy and would consider it an honour to wear the big V guernsey of Victoria if the chance presented itself.