To kick off Round 11 it’s fifth up against sixth with Essendon taking on Carlton at the MCG in the match of the round. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEST.
One of the biggest rivalries in the AFL will provide an enthralling contest, with both teams likely to give it all until the final siren.
Essendon will want a win to stay in touch with the top four, while four points for Carlton will consolidate their position on the ladder, and perhaps provide the foundation for their own top four push.
It was always going to be tough for the Dons against Sydney last week, and tough it was.
They trailed the whole game, with the result looking even worse thanks to a six-goal last quarter to the Swans.
There are fears of a typical mid-season collapse, with the Bombers losing three of their last four games, including a shock home loss to Brisbane.
Essendon need to right the ship this week. If they do, they’ll have a much easier home game against the Suns before the bye.
If they let this match slip, that comfortable match next week becomes much nervier.
Some more positive news for Essendon, with it looking likely that Michael Hurley (ankle) and Ben Howlett (shoulder) will be back this week, and Leroy Jetta (ankle) also to have scans.
Unfortunately, Courtenay Dempsey will probably be given the week off, after a rib fracture/punctured lung scare last week.
Hurley could prove the difference against Carlton, with strong marking capabilities in the attacking 50, and doubling well as a back if needed.
19-year-old ruckman Joe Daniher will make his debut tonight as the sixth Daniher to play for the Bombers, following in the footsteps of his father Anthony, uncles Terry – the 1984-85 premiership captain – Neale and Chris and brother Darcy.
Carlton’s 94-point thumping/training drill against GWS last week was nothing more than expected, with the players now hopefully full of confidence and form.
They have now won six of their last seven, and it looks like Mick Malthouse finally has the Blues at their full potential.
If they win this they only have to get through Hawthorn before the bye. If they lose, the game against Hawthorn becomes much more crucial.
All that stands between Andrew Carazzo (calf) and suiting up against Essendon is a fitness test, which he should probably pass. Robert Warnock also undergoes a test for a foot injury.
Unfortunately, Carlton are still missing a few players to the injury table, with Andrew McInnes (knee) and Kane Lucas (hamstring) out for one more week and Nick Graham (knee) and David Ellard (calf) out for two.
Approximately halfway in the season, both teams are sitting in the middle of the table.
The winner will be one step closer to cementing finals football. The loser will find themselves slipping towards the bottom of the eight.
A potentially fiery clash between two teams that love to hate each other; strap yourself in for Friday night football from 7.50pm AEST!
mickypee5
Guest
You sore loser
Australian Rules
Guest
If Waite hadn't played the best first half of his life...and then gone to sleep for the second...Carlton would have lost by ten goals.
mickypee5
Guest
Hird can't coach ay dean? Pffft
Minz
Guest
One can only hope so.
Brian
Guest
After ASADA ? Now there's some sour grapes from a blue blue boy.We should investigate Carlton as to why they always fall short of their boring hype.
Dean
Guest
So many passengers at the Blues. Essendon would have bene in all sorts, heading into the bye if the Blues could finish.
John Hamilton
Roar Pro
Going to eat your words?
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
Just when I thought it had finally clicked for Carlton, they simply gave up. Incredible for all the wrong reasons.
micka
Guest
Being a Carlton fan, one phrase takes on a whole new level of truth "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory"
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
1' 77-72 Deliberate out of bounds by Hibberd gives Carlton an easy 50 entry, but solid defence denies the Blues a comeback to the Dons comeback. THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE THE BOMBERS HAVE COME BACK TO BEAT THE BLUES BY 5 POINTS A cracking game, with the Bombers shaking off their blues (and Jared Waite) to get the win. Melksham top scored for Essendon with 3, while Waite was the shining light in the midst of the loss for the Blues with 7. Murphy had the most disposals (31), with Heppell and Walker joint second on 28. A tough night for Hams, picking up what looked like a painful injury not long after he came on. Carlton were better for the majority of the game, but they lacked the final ball to put it on the scoreboard. As we see so often, that killed them. They gave Essendon a sniff, and the Blues were gone. Overall though, a game both sets of fans (and the neutral) would have found very exciting.
Jack
Guest
I am pretty angry but my conpensatuon is the fact bombers will finish last after Asada
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
1' 77-72 Bombers have flooded their defensive line, but it makes no difference as they give away a sloppy 50 meter penalty. The ball doesn't make the distance, and ball up 5 out from goal. 40 seconds left. Heppell smashes it out, but it's not clear yet. Out of bounds about 65 meters away from Carlton's goal
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
3' 71-72 Both teams must be out on their feet, but you wouldn't know it. This game is still moving at breakneck speed, but both forward lines are sparsely populated. Judd and Ryder standing out. Stanton has a long shot, which one again suffers the bounce. However, the kick out from Carlton is horrid, and Melksham gets an easy mark on 50. HE KICKS THE GOAL. ESSENDON IN FRONT WITH 90 SECONDS LEFT. 1' 77-72
Jack
Guest
Yarran is gone gone gone
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
3' 71-72 Heppell had a shot from distance, which seemed destined to goal, before a series of bizarre bounces denied him. Score review between out of bounds and behind, ruled behind.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
4' 70-72 Very brave by the Essendon sub Hams on the ground, and he looks hurt.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
4' 70-72 BEHIND CARLTON Somehow, Betts doesn't get a free for a shove in the back, and the ball tumbles into the post.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
7' 70-71 Kreuzer gives a simple free-kick in a rucking contest just outside 50, but the resulting Essendon bomb into the 50 is ineffective. But Carlton's rebounding kick ,just as bad, and the ball is back inside the attacking 50. Held up, ball up.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
8' 70-71 Daniher takes a mark in front of goal, and has the chance to be the hero. He takes a giant run-up, but, misses. Still Dons back within a point. BEHIND ESSENDON
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
8' 69-71 An update on my earlier crowd figures, it's actually over 82,000. The fourth highest ever crowd for a match between these teams.