Carlton's big AFL elimination final win over Essendon might be the best evidence to show skipper Chris Judd is no longer carrying the Blues.

In elimination final defeats of the past two seasons, Judd was outstanding and the Blues' top disposal-winner and it was still not enough.

On Sunday, against the Bombers, Heath Hocking held the Carlton star to a rare quiet day, just 19 touches.

In the only three previous occasions in the past two seasons when Judd has dipped under the 20-disposal mark, the Blues have lost, including three weeks ago against Hawthorn.

But on Sunday, the likes of Marc Murphy (37 disposals and a goal), Heath Scotland (27 touches) and Andrew Carrazzo (26 touches while keeping Essendon's Jobe Watson quiet) picked up the slack superbly.

The result was Carlton's most significant win in a decade.

"I suppose all year we've had guys step up and play their role," Murphy said.

"We're not just reliant on Juddy to play a good game for us to win ... it's always good to have 17 or 18 blokes win their positions, which was probably what happened today."

Murphy labelled the win the best day in his career so far, with his best afield performance adding satisfaction.

"Personally it wasn't a bad game, you always want to play well in finals," he said.

"I thought a lot of blokes did that today and I thought our forward line was really dangerous and everyone stood up and played their role."

The fact that the breakthrough victory came against arch-rival Essendon made it even sweeter, Murphy said.

With most of the Blues having never previously been part of a finals win, the on-baller said they would take a newfound sense of mental freedom into Saturday night's semi-final against West Coast in Perth.

"Probably the monkey's off the back a little bit, we can go over to Perth and free up a bit," the 24-year-old said.

"But we watched (West Coast) yesterday and their pressure and tackling was fantastic.

"So we'll have to match that and bring that to our game next Saturday, so we're looking forward to getting over there and having a real crack at it."

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