While this week will be a celebration of coach Mick Malthouse's career, Carlton know they have more than one incentive to defeat arch-rival Collingwood on Friday night.

Malthouse's record-breaking match as coach, surpassing Collingwood's Jock McHale, will be the headline act, but the Blues are keen to halt a four-game slide against the Magpies.

They also want to impress on the Friday night stage – something Channel Seven chiefs will also be keen to see – and an unexpected win, for all the criticism so far this year, would also have them firmly in touch with the top eight.

Vice-captain Bryce Gibbs said on Monday the Blues would be ready to build on their opening win of the season, against St Kilda in Wellington.

"It's a big game regardless of whether there is a milestone getting broken this week, so it's going to be another chance for us to get back on the big stage – Friday night footy," Gibbs said.

"What a fantastic occasion this is going to be. Carlton-Collingwood is already a massive game and a massive build-up. This is going to be an extra-special week for Mick and for us and, hopefully, we can get a win for him."

The Blues have not beaten the Magpies since Malthouse took charge. Hopes of changing that will be boosted by the expected inclusions of Chris Judd (hamstring) and Troy Menzel (calf).

Gibbs has had another strong season although his averages in disposals, clearances and contested possessions are slightly down. His average of almost seven tackles a game is a career high.

"When you put so much work into the week and not get a result, it can make it a bit flat, especially early in the week. But it's nice to come in off a win," a relaxed Gibbs said.

"I think that the most pleasing thing for the players and Mick will be if we can send him off with a win. He certainly doesn't want to put the focus all on him. We've got a job to do still and we'll be looking to get the four points."

The stand-out performance of Patrick Cripps was crucial in the Blues leaving Wellington as winners. Cripps, in his second season, had 33 disposals, of which 23 were contested. The latter equalled a record by a player aged under-21 at the time of a match, joining Sam Mitchell, Tom Liberatore and Judd.

Cripps' strong inside work was shown in that he posted only 173 metres gained, compared to rebounding flanker Zach Tuohy who had eight less possessions but gained 607 metres.

"I thought some of the younger players really stepped up. Paddy Cripps was fantastic in the middle, even Tommy Bell reckons he is going to win the Coleman now," Gibbs said.

Bell booted four goals among his 16 possessions.

While the Blues aren't expected to make the finals, should they claim an unexpected win, their fixture opens up, with battling Brisbane (Etihad Stadium), Greater Western Sydney (Etihad) and Geelong (Etihad) to come.

Gibbs said the Blues were just focusing on securing "as many wins as possible ... that's all we can control really".

The Blues will hope for a crowd of more 70,000, which would be a major improvement on the 41,000 which attended the last match between the clubs – in round 15 last year. That poor turnout led to the abolition of Sunday-night football in Melbourne.

Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (foot) will be in line to make his return in the VFL should he emerge unscathed at training.