Carlton’s Troy Menzel says the Blues will be looking to stay “switched on” for four quarters when they battle arch-rival Collingwood this Saturday at the MCG.

The Blues notched up back-to-back wins against Port Adelaide and Gold Coast in Rounds 12 and 13, but since then “little lapses” in concentration have let them down in games.

The small forward says this weekend’s match against Collingwood, which has lost its last six games in a row, will be another chance to emulate and recapture its form from six weeks ago.

“What better game to come out and be really aggressive and show the AFL what kind of football we can play,” Menzel told Radio Sport National on Wednesday.

“If we can get off to a very good start, stay switched on and keep concentrating, then we can play some very good footy.”

Keeping pressure on the opponent and tackling at every opportunity has still been a focus at the Blues under coach John Barker, but sustaining the intensity has been the challenge.

“We’ve still been trying to do that (tackling and pressure) because Jonny has been really strong on that.

“It’s more so the patches in games where we haven’t been able to keep that high pressure up and teams have got away from us,” Menzel said.

A key to maintaining pressure throughout games comes from on-field leadership and the young Blue says his captain, along with other teammates, have really “stepped up”.

“I think we’ve got some really good leaders at the club.

“Marc Murphy has really led from the front in games and guys like Sam Docherty and Simon White have really stepped up this year,” he said.

The 20-year-old, who has been hampered by groin, quad and knee injuries this year, hopes to see out the rest of the season and play some good footy.

“I guess I haven’t had the year I’d really hoped for … I’ve been struck down with injury a few times and I haven’t been able to get some consistency in my game.

“I look at these last five weeks as an opportunity to play myself into some form and finish the year on a high,” he said.

When he has been fit to play, Menzel has found himself in the forward line, but wants to add more layers to his game next year.

“I’m really enjoying playing up forward at the moment, but I would like to go pinch-hit in the middle every now and again for a few centre bounces – that’s an area of my game I’d like to work on over the pre-season.”

Carlton takes on Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, kicking off at 1:45pm. Make sure you head down early to Yarra Park, near Gate 3 to check out the ‘Many Cultures, One Game’ Multicultural Festival.