Carlton believe winning at the stoppages and a fast start are central to avoiding a defensive grind against St Kilda on Monday night and breaking a nine-year losing streak.

The Saints, the AFL's defensive benchmark last season, have taken their stifling style to extremes over the past two rounds, as they continue to adjust to life without injured skipper Nick Riewoldt.

The combined totals of both sides failed to reach the 100-point mark in either St Kilda's round five loss to Port Adelaide or last Friday night's comeback win over the Western Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs responded to the Saints crowding their defence by chipping the ball around in their own defence and midfield, rather than risk a turnover by pumping it forward quickly.

But Blues forward coach Matthew Lappin said Carlton would target a more direct approach.

"Watching last week, sometimes I suppose if the Dogs did kick the ball inside 50 at times they might have been able to put more score on ... it was probably a bit more side to side than penetrating," Lappin said.

"So we've had a look at that, we know the Saints are going to get back in big numbers.

"But if we win the clearances we can get the ball into our forward line quickly, then hopefully we can kick a winning score.

"I suppose if we get the game offensive enough, we can kick a score early, then make sure they can't keep it a low-scoring, defensive style game."

Lappin said it would mean kicking into attack at times when the forwards were outnumbered, but quick ball movement would be crucial.

"If you win your fair share of stoppages and get it in quickly you tend to get it more one-on-one ... when it's slow they get three or four extra (defenders) back."

The Blues' own defence has taken a hit, with mobile tall backman Paul Bower set to be a late withdrawal with a quad injury sustained at training during the week.

Chris Johnson will be his replacement.

The Blues had already made two changes, recalling experienced pair Jarrad Waite and Bret Thornton for the first time since they were dropped after the disappointing round three loss to Essendon.

Lappin said Waite, returning this season from a serious knee injury, lacked his normal agility over the opening rounds, prompting the VFL stint to regain his spring and his confidence.

The versatile tall is expected to play mainly in attack on Monday night.

The Saints have won the past 12 meetings between the sides, with both Lappin and Carlton coach Brett Ratten in the team when the Blues last won, in 2001.

Lappin said for much of the intervening time, the Saints had simply been a vastly superior side, but the gap was closing, as evidenced by a thriller midway through last season, which the Saints won by nine points.

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