A game that Carlton pencilled in as a regulation win at the start of this AFL season is now D-Day.

The Blues are in crisis following Sunday night’s horrific 81-point loss to Essendon, with coach Mick Malthouse saying the only positive is the six-day turnaround before next Saturday’s game against Melbourne.

The Demons, like Carlton, are winless after three rounds.

While Melbourne always knew this would be a tough season under new coach Paul Roos, Carlton have high hopes of consolidating their top-eight status.

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan gave a video interview on the club website and captain Marc Murphy fronted the media in reaction to Sunday night’s catastrophe.

The Blues barely gave a yelp against their fierce rivals.

Kernahan promised Carlton fans that their team would rebound this weekend.

“We want the members and supporters to stick fat,” he said.

“We’re only three games into the season … and our guys are going to regroup this week and come back hard.

“Let’s judge us on what happens this week when we get out there again.”

Kernahan said it was as bad a loss that Carlton had suffered in his long time at the club.

Murphy also admitted it had been a tough night.

“It’s probably the first time for a long time I’ve been embarrassed out on the field,” he told SEN.

Like Malthouse, Murphy said he did not see Sunday night coming.

The captain felt the Blues had prepared well and were coming off a solid block of training.

The players had their own meeting post-match and Murphy said they spoke home truths.

But he added it was crucial that the players now stuck together.

“It’s really a mindset this week, about not being down and not being negative on each other,” Murphy said.

“Everything is about improving each other and improving (the) side.

“Last night, there was a bunch of individuals out there wearing the same jumper and we need to rectify it this Saturday.”

Murphy also said the players were completely behind Malthouse.

“He’s so positive and he makes things very simple for the side,” Murphy said.

“I’m just hoping that last night is one of those things, (where) nothing went right for us.

“When the chips are down, that’s when you find out about characters around footy clubs.

“So we’ll find out about certain blokes in our side over the next month and obviously the rest of the season.

“I’m sure you’ll see a very good response this Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Murphy is the latest Carlton figure to express confidence that Bryce Gibbs will not take up free agency and stay at the club beyond this season.

Murphy said he spoke to Gibbs last week and felt his friend was emphatic about wanting to stay.