After holding off Essendon at the MCG on Sunday, Carlton face a season-defining fortnight ahead against the current top two teams Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

The Blues sit in 12th with a 3-4 record but are yet to defeat a legitimate flag contender.

They face the second-placed Bulldogs, who Carlton crushed in round-six last year, at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

"We've played three of the top-four from last year (Richmond, Brisbane and Port Adelaide) and haven't got the job done," Teague said.

"That's our next as a group. We need to get better, particularly as a defensive group.

"I'm really confident if we play near our best...that we can beat the Bulldogs or beat Melbourne, or whoever we play."

Star forward Harry McKay, who sits second in the Coleman Medal race, played an integral role in the 16-point win against the Bombers with four second-half goals.

Teague revealed McKay was battling a bout of gastro pre-game but declared himself fit to play after receiving a negative COVID-19 test.

Carlton will have to take on the Bulldogs, who lost for the first time this season on Friday night against Richmond, without Mitch McGovern.

The maligned big man suffered a hamstring injury diving for a tackle late in the match.

Teague said he was hopeful of having high-profile recruit Zac Williams and former captain Marc Murphy available after the pair missed the clash with the Bombers due to soreness.

Australian Associated Press