Carlton full-forward Brendan Fevola has admitted his heel injury played its part in his wasteful kicking for goal in Saturday night's narrow AFL loss to Essendon at the MCG.

While the Bombers can thank Matthew Lloyd's return to form with five goals as pivotal in their four-point win, the usually reliable Fevola had a poor night converting, with 4.7 and another shot that went out of bounds.

Fevola has been hampered by a bruised heel in recent weeks and said on Sunday the soreness had prevented him doing as much goal kicking practise as usual.

"I haven't done too much goal kicking practise in the past month because I haven't been out on the track, so I have just got to try to get myself on the track and try to start kicking straighter," he told the Nine Network.

"My heel is pretty sore, but if you put yourself out there to play you are 100 per cent fit."

Fevola said he had tried several remedies to ease the discomfort, including a suggestion from one of his former coaches to place half an orange in his boot to cushion his heel.

But he said there was little he could do to resolve the problem quickly, as even missing a game would not help.

"It's not going to make any difference whether you play or have a rest," he said.

"I'm playing pretty good footy at the minute so it's not bothering me too much.

"I've just got to kick straighter."

Fevola also backed up Carlton coach Brett Ratten's view that the Blues had begun believing in their own hype following their impressive wins in the first two weeks.

However, Fevola apportioned part of the blame to former Essendon star James Hird, who during the week wrote a newspaper column talking up Carlton's midfield.

"James Hird did a bit of a masterstroke during the week and came out and said something about the fab four," Fevola said.

"Being an Essendon man he put all the hype on us.

"We were disappointing last night and hopefully we'll learn from the game."

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