Carlton president Stephen Kernahan is a man who would bleed blue – and last night he did just that as he watched his team suffer an 81-point hiding at the hands of Essendon.

Like all supporters, Kernahan admits he was “a little horrified” at the team’s performance.

“That’s as bad as we’ve been beaten in my time here – we’re all feeling it today” Kernahan said.

“The families, the kids, and the members and supporters who go there (to the game) demand more. It was unacceptable the way we played.”

The loss leaves the Blues winless after three rounds. But Kernahan is urging members and supporters to keep the faith, because he remains confident the team can turn things around.

“Our guys are going to regroup this week and come back hard – and I expect that of them,” Kernahan said.

“We need our players, when they pull on the jumper, that it means something to them, and that wasn’t shown last night.

“I know they’re better than that.”

The players have put their hands up to take responsibility for the poor showing.

After last night’s game the leadership group headed up a players-only meeting to give a frank and honest assessment of the game.

Captain Marc Murphy fronted the media as he arrived at Visy Park today, vowing the performance will not be repeated.

"We let ourselves down as a team, as a club and for our members it was extremely disappointing," Murphy said.

The Blues have six days to refocus ahead of their Round 4 match against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.