'It stacks up': Demons ready to strike in AFL finals

At times like this, it helps to remember what has brought Melbourne to the AFL's first wildcard weekend.

Carlton, riding their 11 wins and a draw from 14 games under new coach Josh Fraser, are smelling blood heading into Saturday night's clash at the MCG.

The Demons are coming off an upset loss to the Western Bulldogs. They are without suspended forward Jacob van Rooyen, plus Jake Lever and Matthew Jefferson are injured.

For all his many qualities, recalling Jack Viney for his first senior game this season is a risk. Christian Salem is out of form and has been dropped..

But as forward Bayley Fritsch notes, Melbourne have won 15 games this season under new coach Steven King.

"Although against the Doggies we had a bit of a lull, our game is in great shape. We know it stacks up," Fritsch told AAP.

"We don't want to look too much into the Doggies game, obviously it was very disappointing.

"This week we've had a really clear focus about what works for us ... we're not making it up, the numbers are there."

Fritsch also noted that when the Demons have had a bad game this season, it has not turned into a slump. They have lost two-straight only once.

It is only three games since they had probably the win of the season over Fremantle.

And while van Rooyen's absence hurts, they also have been without fellow forward Brody Mihocek since his season-ending injury on King's Birthday.

Fritsch and his fellow Demons forwards have made a habit of getting the job done this year.

"That's probably the power of our forward line, we don't rely on one or two guys," he said.

"We've had plenty of guys come up and kick two, three goals and the next week, they might not kick one.