One of football’s biggest rivalries will take centre stage at the MCG tomorrow when Carlton takes on Essendon.

The Bombers are fresh from a narrow victory over the reigning premiers, while the Blues are still hunting their first win of the season.

Despite Carlton’s disappointing start to the year, Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers this week told AFL.com.au that his team can’t afford to underestimate the Blues.

"We can't take the foot off the accelerator at all. If we play our game style that we have the last two weeks then we're going to be really confident we can get the win," Bellchambers said.

"But it's AFL and there's centimetres between winning and losing these days. If we go in with our foot off the gas it's not going to help us at all."

Essendon has made just the one change with veteran defender Dustin Fletcher coming into the side at the expense of James Gwilt.

Fletcher missed the Bombers’ Round 2 match with a groin injury.

The Bombers will have added incentive as the match marks game number 250 for former Saint Brendon Goddard and the 100th AFL game for Ben Howlett.

Last time Carlton faced Essendon was at the MCG in Round 23 last year, and the match ended in a 90-all draw.