Carlton won its first two matches of the season, for the first time since 2000, after downing Brisbane by 19 points in a high-quality contest at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night.

The Bombers bounced back from their 41-point loss to Port Adelaide in round one with an uninspiring 38-point win over Fremantle.

MEDICAL ROOM: Carlton has lost promising young defender Michael Jamison and utility Andrew Walker to shoulder injuries. Jamison is expected to return in the next two to three weeks but Walker’s season appears to be over. Midfielder Andrew Carrazzo (arm) is at least a week away from being considered for selection while former Fremantle ruckman Robbie Warnock (foot) remains on the club’s long-term injury list. For the Bombers, Mark McVeigh (ankle), Sam Lonergan (ankle) and defender Michael Hurley are at least three weeks away from playing. Brent Prismall (knee), Andrew Welsh (ankle), Scott Gumbleton (back) and Jason Laycock (foot) are sidelined indefinitely.

KEY MATCH-UPS:

Dustin Fletcher vs. Brendon Fevola
Fevola looms as the danger man for Essendon given his record against the Bombers in recent times.

The Blues spearhead has kicked seven or more goals in three of the last four matches between these two sides and will head into this clash with plenty of confidence after booting five majors in the win over the Lions.

Fletcher is Essendon’s best and most experienced defender and will be given first crack at Fevola in what shapes as being an intriguing contest.

The 296-game veteran will need support from his midfield if he is going to contain Fevola who is virtually unstoppable on the lead.

The Bombers will need to apply immense pressure all over the ground and prevent the likes of Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs from delivering the football cleanly inside 50.

Bret Thornton vs. Matthew Lloyd
Lloyd has failed to fire so far this season, booting just the one goal in two games.

The Bombers will need their skipper to lift on Saturday night if they are going to be any chance of overcoming a Carlton side on the rise.

With Jamison sidelined you would expect Thornton to line-up on Lloyd while Jarrad Waite is another option for the Blues if Lloyd starts further up the ground.

The Dons don’t need Lloyd to kick a bag but they do need him to chime in with two or three goals and always provide a contest when the football is inside Essendon’s forward line.

If Lloyd can bring the ball to ground it will bring the likes of Alywn Davey and Leroy Jetta – who are dangerous at ground level – into the game.

Matthew Kreuzer vs. David Hille
The last time these two sides met in round 13 last year Hille basically did as he pleased, helping himself to 22 possessions and 37 hit-outs.

Kreuzer has been impressive so far this season, averaging 15 possessions and 21 hit-outs in two games.

Carlton will need him to provide a contest and prevent Hille from giving silver service to the likes of Jobe Watson who will set up Essendon’s runners in Andrew Lovett, Jason Winderlich and co. with his clean use of the football by hand.

If Kreuzer can break even in the ruck it will be a win for the Blues.

Henry Slattery vs. Chris Judd
Judd has been influential in Carlton’s two wins this season and needs to be negated if the Bombers are going to make it four straight wins over the Blues

The former West Coast skipper is damaging with his ability to win the football in close, break the lines and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Slattery has been given the task of tagging some of the competition’s premier midfielders in the past and could well be thrown the challenge of matching up on Judd on Saturday night.

However, Slattery’s lack of pace is a concern and he could be exposed at the stoppages.

With this in mind, the Bombers may opt to use someone like Winderlich in an attacking run-with role.

Winderlich, who was among his side’s best in the win over the Dockers with 27 possessions and two goals, has the ability to hurt Judd going the other way and will force him to be accountable.

VERDICT: The Bombers will head into this match with some confidence given their recent record against the Blues but Carlton simply has too much class through the middle with Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy and Judd all in top form. Their midfield should provide Eddie Betts, Fevola and co. with enough quality supply to kick a winning score. Blues by 38 points.

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