The Essendon Bombers have overcome a spirited Carlton squad at the MCG by eight points.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Essendon Bombers 11.18.84
Carlton Blues 11.10.76
The Essendon Bombers play host to an old rival in the Carlton Blues on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for a live blog and scores from 2:10pm AEST.
10th plays 17th in a must-win battle for the Bombers to keep their season alive. Carlton are playing for pride for the remainder of the season and will also be hoping to play spoiler to the Bombers’ chances of playing in the finals.
These two teams faced off against one another earlier in the season with the Blues toppling the Bombers by 15 points in a low-scoring affair at the MCG.
The loss could come back to haunt their Bombers in their quest for the top 8, however a win in this game may right those wrongs from Round 3. The Blues have won three of the past five games against the bombers and will want to add to their recent strong record.
Both Essendon and Carlton are coming off big losses last week with the Bombers losing by 30 to the reigning premiers the Bulldogs and Carlton never looking like troubling a contender in the Cats, going down by 65 points.
Essendon’s spearhead forward Joe Daniher will look to extend his lead in the Coleman medal race this week currently leading Ben Brown by just 2 goals, against a Carlton team who are running out of gas as the season progresses.
Liam Jones has been impressive this season but Joe Daniher is in career best form and has been able to kick goals on almost anyone in the competition.
Dennis Armfield has been named to the Blues squad for the first time since Round 2 this season, he will be hoping to build a solid case to remain in the senior squad for the remainder of the season.
Essendon look to be too good for the Blues in this matchup but very similar things were said at the start of the season and Carlton managed to get the win. If the Blues can keep the Bombers scoring low it will go a long way to getting the victory.
Essendon on the other hand still have a lot to play for this season and they will not want a chance at the top 8 to go begging especially against a team who is anchored to the bottom end of the ladder.
Prediction
Essendon Bombers by 21.
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Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
He shows glimpses that he could become an impact forward but at the moment he drifts in and out of the game. Definitely needs to build up his tank.
Macca
Guest
Thanks Col, definitely better than I expected, if Silvagni had kicked that goal I reckon we were home. They were talking up Pickett after the game on 774, showed the glimpses that he will be a serious footballer when he builds his tank and body, you agree?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Yeah well done Sam.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Got off to a bad start Macca with Essendons speed a big factor. It looked it might get ugly but Carlton managed to take control of the game in the second quarter. Kreuzer was again playing well and we were dominating the clearances. Again turnovers through bad kicking and decision making hurt us and the the younger players like SPS and Curnow who had a good first half seemed to tire in the last quarter. Kreuzer and Docherty were our best, Murphy got plenty but didn't impact like Heppell did for the Bombers.
Birdman
Guest
thanks for blogging Sam. Good stuff.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me today in what was an exciting finish to what looked like an early blowout.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Roar players of the game. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Dyson Heppel Sam Docherty Leading Goal Kickers. 3 Matthew Wright (Carlton) 3 Joe Daniher (Essendon) 3 Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Leading disposals 34 Dyson Heppell (Ess) 33 David Zaharakis (Ess) 32 Marc Murphy (Carl) Next Week the Bombers face the Crows at Etihad Stadium. Carlton will travel to the West to face West Coast. Essendon 11.18.84 Carlton 11.10.76
Macca
Guest
I only caught the last 1/4 and a half on the radio today Col, seemed a pretty good effort but would be keen to hear your thoughts.
Macca
Guest
He has kicked 29.18 this year - career best year in nearly every stat, the blues are hardly going to push him out the door.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Don't think he upped his value today Birdman. Still think we need to keep him but if Richmond want to offer him 4 years @ $500k as rumoured we will gladly take the second round compo pick. If he kicked that last shot we possibly win. I thought this was the worst side on paper we have put out this season and to run a side needing to win to keep their finals chances alive to the final minutes of the game was a good effort.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
I reckon he will be gone, they have tried for as long as possible with him and he still lets them down.
Birdman
Guest
Dang! Casboult's kicking still not up to standard for a key forward. Could well be heading out of the door at season's end.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
End of the game. Essendon come from behind in the final 3 minutes of the game to win a thriller against the Blues. Essendon 11.18.84 Carlton 11.10.76 Full match report to follow shortly.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Essendon. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is left wide open in the centre of the ground, he runs into an open forward 50 and kicks what could be the sealer for the Dons. Essendon 11.18.84 Carlton 11.10.76 1:00 4th quarter
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Ball is on the boundary about 60 from the Blues goals.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Levi Casboult marks it for the Blues deep in their forward 50. Bit of an angle on the set shot. He sprays it badly and it goes through for a behind. Essendon 10.18.78 Carlton 11.10.76 1:42 4th quarter
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cale Hooker with another shot at goal. He kicks the goal and the Bombers are back in front. Essendon 10.18.78 Carlton 11.9.75 3:03 4th quarter
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Sam Docherty has been huge for the Blues down back today.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
less than 5 minutes remain, which team will stand up strong?
Shane Harold Ross
Guest
Twice the Ol hit the post trick ,please be our day ?