Carlton coach Brett Ratten says he watched from the boundary during Friday night's AFL thrashing of Essendon because he wanted to be as close to the action as possible.

Ratten coached from the interchange area for the first time in his career and was delighted with the Blues' 23.11 (149) to 9.19 (73) win at the MCG, especially a 10-goal last quarter.

Carlton had lost five of seven games leading into the game and Ratten just drew short of labelling his side soft in last weekend's thrashing at the hands of Collingwood.

So as the Blues chased redemption and sought a stronger position in the top eight, the coach wanted to be as close to the action as possible.

"I wanted to be a part of it with the players as well, and give them feedback and really reward those blokes who were doing what's required and then maybe question the blokes who need to maybe go in a bit," Ratten said.

"I really enjoyed it, it was good ... you felt like you were a part of the game.

"Sometimes being in the box ... you've got some control to a degree, but with (interchange) rotations at 130 and 140 (per game) and things like that, sometimes you feel that you're not actually in the game as much."

Several AFL coaches have based themselves on the sidelines this season, and Ratten said he planned to continue doing so.

"I'm one (win) from one, so I'm not changing," he said.

Among the highlights for Carlton were Jeff Garlett's six goals, Jarrad Waite's four, Mitch Robinson's good job on curbing the run of Essendon defender Dustin Fletcher and Robert Warnock's great work in the ruck.

Warnock was good throughout but dominated the final term and continually gave the Blues midfielders first use.

Carlton's win gave them a 10-9 win-loss record and steadied their position in the top eight, and Ratten said the Blues were keen to not let their attack on the ball slip so badly again.

"It's a benchmark or an expectation that we've (set)," he said.

"We've seen in the season it can vary as well ... it's something we want to keep addressing and making sure we focus (on)."

Carlton play Richmond in round 20.

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