ESSENDON:
Mercuri, Cockatoo-Collins, Lucas 3, Caracella 2, Lloyd, Fraser, Bomford 1.
CARLTON:
Pearce 4, Whitnall 3, Camporeale 2, Allan, Hogg, De Iulio, Anstey 1.
Games between Essendon and Carlton have always been great, tense contests. Back in 1998, the Bombers played the Blues at the MCG on easter Monday. A crowd of 68,177 turned out to watch the game, far more than 17,000 that turned out to watch Melbourne beat Brisbane.
Both teams had come into the game with 1 win and 1 loss. Essendon came into the game full of confidence after thumping the 97' Grand Finalist's St Kilda by 89 points, while Carlton had been smashed by 56 points against the Western Bulldogs.
With skipper James Hird missing, the game didn't start too well for the Bombers, conceding 2 early goals. Before they were able to kick 5 straight to take the lead at quarter time. In the 2nd quarter, the exact same thing happened. Carlton kicked 2 early goals, before Essendon rammed home 5 in a row to take 35 point lead at the main break.
Despite being without Murphy, Bradley and Manton, the Blues were able to fight back, kicking 5 goals in the 3rd to Scott Lucas' 2. In the final quarter, the Bombers were tired and the Blues nearly snatched the game away from them. Cockatoo Collins kicked a goal at the beginning of the quarter before Carlton kicked 3 goals in a row to get the margin under a goal. But the Bombers were able to remain calm despite the pressure from the Blues, holding onto the ball for the last 2 minutes to register a 1 point win.
Mercuri was instrumental in the Bomber's win, kicking 3 goals. Andrew Bomford played his best ever game, picking up the most disposals. While O'Donnell, Wellman and Hardwick were among the best.
Match Info: Essendon FC
Sorry there wasn't one last week, that was because I had moved house and had no net.
