Carlton acting captain Michael Jamison says the Blues' focus on changing the tempo of AFL games will be crucial if they are to break a three-year drought against Essendon.

The Bombers approach Saturday night's MCG encounter between the two fierce rivals as the team under most pressure, after a winless first two rounds.

But the Blues have their own motivation, having been on the end of a five-game losing streak to Essendon stretching back to 2007.

A key factor has been Essendon's ability to produce damaging scoring blitzes, the Bombers having averaged a remarkable 131 points across the five games.

"Obviously they play a really attacking style of football and they've probably beaten us on turnovers more than anything in the past," Jamison said.

"We'll be looking to really slow them up hopefully and not let them kick too many goals from our mistakes."

He said stemming the tide of opposition onslaughts was a general Carlton focus this season.

"Probably controlling the momentum of the game a little bit better and not the whole time being out and out attack," Jamison said.

"If we can slow the game and keep it the way we want to play it, it's going to go a long way."

Jamison, who made his debut in 2007, has never played in a premiership season win over Essendon.

He expected the Bombers' recent head-to-head dominance would be in the minds of all Blues' players, particularly given the weight they placed on the rivalry.

"Any time we play Essendon it's an important game.

"If we haven't won a game for the year and we play them round 22 it's an important game.

"It's such a big rivalry ... we don't want to place extra emphasis on it compared to any other game, but obviously it's got that bit of passion in it."

Jamison will be the Blues' third captain this season, following Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson in the first two rounds, with regular skipper Chris Judd to return from suspension next round.

Having started at the club as a rookie just three years ago and been voted into the leadership group this year, he said it was an enormous honour.

"It's pretty humbling to be honest, if anything maybe a little bit embarrassing, to know I'll be captaining the Blues, when so many great players in the past have."

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