Two of Melbourne’s big four meet this afternoon when an undermanned Essendon try and halt a red-hot Carlton outfit. Live scores and commentary from the MCG will be here from 1.45pm AEST.
We know they’re coming.
Not only did last Friday night’s 60-point demolition of Collingwood send their bitter rivals’ season into an early tailspin, but it well and truly stamped Carlton as a top-four outfit that will almost certainly be around in the latter stages of September.
While it is no surprise that Chris Judd is up and firing for the Blues, the real story has been the performance of Carlton’s number one draft picks, namely Marc Murphy.
The 24-year-old midfielder is averaging nearly 34 disposals over the first three rounds and although being well-regarded at VISY Park for a long time, looks finally set to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the AFL.
This afternoon Carlton come up against another unbeaten side in Essendon but while Carlton are flying, the same can’t really be said about Essendon.
James Hird’s outfit have been crucified by injuries with the likes of David Hille, Jason Winderlich, Scott Gumbleton, Mark McVeigh, Nathan Lovett-Murray and David Myers all set to miss.
The problem is doubled when Essendon’s next fixture is considered: Collingwood in the ANZAC Day blockbuster on a three-day backup.
There can be no implication that Essendon will be playing soft this afternoon but if the tide turns in Carlton’s favour early, it is hard to see Essendon going full-throttle knowing who is up next.
Contests between these two storied rivals are often close and have a habit of throwing up surprise results so it would be foolish to dismiss Essendon’s chances completely.
But against a hungry Carlton side who after a decade look finally ready to rejoin the competition’s elite, it’s hard to see them getting the four points today.
It’s a classic Saturday afternoon matchup at the MCG between two of Melbourne’s powerhouses. Will it follow the script, or are we in for another cliffhanger? Action gets underway from 1.45pm AEST and we’ll cover all of it, siren-to-siren. Leave us your thoughts in the space below.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well! Who knows what to think now?
Swampy
Guest
Bombers will be 6-0 in two weeks. Who'da thunk it!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Justin Cinque
Expert
*rendition
Chad Bennett
Editor
FULL TIME: Essendon 15.19.109 have defeated Carlton 11.13.79 Well well. Carlton were hot favourites against a side decimated by injuries, but that is not how things have panned out. The Bombers were harder and hungrier all afternoon, while Carlton were well and truly off their best. It was a taxing encounter for both sides, and both have picked up injuries, with Hurley and Carrazzo the two notables. For the Bombers, ANZAC Day is up next in four days time while the Blues travel west to meet an in-form Freo next Friday night. Both sides from today will face significant challenges to get up for their next games. But for today, the Bombers and their fans celebrate, and they currently sit atop the AFL ladder with four wins from four matches! Thanks for following along, enjoy the rest of the weekend's sporting action!
Justin Cinque
Expert
What a loud and buoyant rentition of the song!
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 79 Essendon 109 (1:03′ to play) Little bit of a fracas there! Judd dives on and is pinged for in-the-back, few pushes and shoves exchanged and Murphy welcomes Dell'olio to the AFL with a few strong ones! They say he is a Milne'/Ballantyne type, and that is the first evidence that that might be the case!
Dane Eldridge
Expert
The Bombers are going to be up and about for Anzac Day. Should be a spicy affair!
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 79 Essendon 109 (2:11′ to play) All over now! Downfield free-kick that will be taken by Crameri, who boots his fifth from close range! That will be four points for the Bombers now! And in the end, well-deserved too.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 79 Essendon 103 (2:48′ to play) That would have brought the house down! Dell'olio picks up the crumb on the boundary line and tries the Daicos style along the ground, but it comes back too far and is a behind.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 79 Essendon 102 (3:30′ to play) That might have been it. From the ball-up inside 50, the Bombers are able to clear and eventually, it ends up a stoppage inside the Bombers' forward 50.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 79 Essendon 102 (4:07′ to play) That could have been their chance! Kade Simpson streams through the middle, looks up, shoots from 50 but it is out to the left. Behind.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 72 Essendon 102 (6′ to play) Interesting! Marc Murphy squares to Hampson, who has a tough kick from 40m, but after the protected area is encroached, it is 50! Hampson brings the margin back to 24 points, 5:26 on the clock. Big clearance now. If the Blues can get it inside 50, we could be on for a tight finish here. Bombers look very, very weary.
Chad Bennett
Editor
ATTENDANCE: 73,172 Pretty spot on there, TC.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 72 Essendon 102 (8′ to play) Oh great reply Bombers. Dell'olio (who has been absolutely super since he has come on) dishes the handball over the top to Monfries, who kicks low and straight from 40 out to make the margin five goals again. For Carlton, who were well on top in this quarter and beginning to possibly look a chance, that is very, very deflating.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 72 Essendon 96 (8′ to play) Woof! It's another one to the Blues! Down by as many as 47 points, the margin is now a straight four goals. Judd runs in and from a tight angle squeezes it through. Game on!
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 66 Essendon 96 (8′ to play) Dell'olio now (legally) lays out Laidler! It's been a lively debut from the young man from the west this afternoon.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 66 Essendon 96 (9′ to play) Dell'olio does well there to ping Duigan for holding the ball as the Blues were looking to rebound toward the Essendon goal. Instead, the ball goes deep inside the Bombers' forward fifty.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 66 Essendon 96 (11′ to play) OR IS THERE TIME? Eddie Betts gets his fourth, doing what he does best, crumbing in from the side after Jarrad Waite isn't able to hang on. Both teams are battle-fatigued. With just over 10 minutes on the clock, the Bombers must do something to stabilise now! The momentum looks to have turned!
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 60 Essendon 96 (12′ to play) Well, it is back to 36 points. From the ball-up, Gibbs wins it and wheels around and kicks a right foot snap around the body. Is there time? I don't think so.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4Q: Carlton 54 Essendon 96 (14′ to play) According to Hamish McLachlan "Dustin Martin" has just taken a strong mark. Poor Hamish. It has been a big week for ole #rompingwins. Google it if you don't know what I mean. You WON'T be disappointed. Comedy gold.