Carlton players have promised fans they will respond against Essendon after a withering attack from coach Brett Ratten in the wake of last week's insipid loss to Collingwood.

Midfielder Marc Murphy said he was confident soul-searching sessions combined with heated training this week would produce a side determined for redemption against their arch-rivals at the MCG on Friday night.

Murphy said the players accepted full responsibility for the 48-point loss and needed to recover the mental strength they displayed earlier in the year.

"It always comes down to us in the end," Murphy said. "The coach can say what he wants, but it's the players who are out there week in and week out and it all lies with us in the end.

"We know what we need to bring to play our best footy. It's definitely player driven.

"Last week wasn't good enough and we knew that as players as well.

"We've been working towards a better performance tomorrow night and if our contested footy is up and our energy is up we'll give it a good shot," he said.

Murphy said the team had been helped by their work with the Leading Teams motivational program.

"I think that's been really good for us. We've had a lot of meetings, but talk means nothing unless you respond when your actions aren't good enough."

Carlton are seventh on the ladder, but need to win at least two of their remaining four games to qualify for the finals.

"We know it's a must-win game for us, but we're just concentrating on doing all the right things, playing with a lot of energy and making sure our contested footy is right up.

"We know if we bring that we'll go all right," Murphy said.

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