Goalkickers: Simpson 3, Waite, Garlett, Laidler, Curnow, Carrazzo, Murphy, Warnock, Yarran 1.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: S. McBurney, M. Nicholls & S. Stewart

Injuries: Nil

Ladder: 5th

Game Review

Another big block-buster against an old rival awaited the Blues in round 4. This time it was James Hird’s new-look, in-form Bombers for Brett Ratten’s Blues to contend with and though the bookies had the two teams evenly matched early in the week, by the time 2:10 Saturday arvo rolled around Essendon had slight favouritism.

The Blues made two changes to their defeated line-up from round 3 with Bret Thornton and Matthew Watson making way for Simon White and Lachie Henderson.

Some days you just wish you hadn’t gotten out of bed. That’s certainly how I felt as I watched the Blues butcher, bumble, fumble and chase tail for much of the first quarter as the Bombers’ good form continued on its merry way. With Carlton goalless at quarter time I reckon Ratts might have been feeling much the same. The damage on the scoreboard was not fatal, but the attitude, the vibe, the feeling just didn’t seem to be there for the Blues.

During the second term the grind began. Carlton started to get back into it, no doubt buoyed by the knowledge the Bombers were already two men down after cruel season ending knee injuries to Winderlich and Dempsey in quick succession during the early part of the game. No matter the reason, the Blues dominated the term with possession and scoreboard pressure, but inaccuracy certainly cost them any chance of taking the lead at the half. Jeff Garlett produced a lovely goal from just inside 50 to finally get the Blues on the scoreboard ten minutes into the quarter. It sparked a period of domination as first Jarrad Waite kicked truly and later Kade Simpson, the Blues best on the day, bagged two on the trot to bring the Blues within a goal at the main break. On another day the Blues might have left the Bombers for dead during this surge, but this day the inaccuracy was costly and their 4.7 for the quarter allowed Essendon to retain the lead.

It was an arm wrestle during the third with both teams unable to gain the ascendency. Every man and his dog expected Essendon to run out of legs sooner or later due to Carlton’s numerical advantage in personnel, but the Bombers just kept hanging in there. Chris Judd was trying to break free of the congestion, more akin to rugby union than AFL, but was unable to have his usual influence on the game. Marc Murphy started to accumulate some possession and much of Carlton’s attack was coming via Chris Yarran off half back whose disposal was a pleasure to watch. Nick Duigan put in another quality no-frills performance in defence and is quickly becoming a crowd favourite for his honesty and solid work ethic. Other new boys Jeremy Laidler and Ed Curnow bagged the Blues only two goals for the quarter. Laidler’s goal looked to all and sundry like it would be touched, but the pack seemed to misjudge the trajectory and his kick just drifted over the back for full points. When the dust settled on the third the Bombers still held their lead, but with only a point in it the Blues were still warm favourites to over run the undermanned Bombers in the last.

An early one to Essendon saw their lead push out to eight points and the Blues’ last quarter task became that little bit harder. A five minute burst from the Blues had them looking like they might blow it open with goals to Andrew Carrazzo, a beauty from Marc Murphy and another to Robert Warnock. With the lead out to ten points the Bombers hit back with a couple of their own to snatch the momentum before a lovely link up between Simpson, Curnow and finally a Yarran burst and goal from 50 got the Blues back in front. Essendon wouldn’t lie down though and regained the lead with a goal in the 24th minute. Kade Simpson appeared to have kicked the goal of the day when after a Judd gather and dish in traffic, he took three bounces and finished beautifully from 50 for his third and best goal. But disappointment was to follow. Needing composure in the dying moments, they had anything but. The Blues surged forward again through a rare Eddie Betts possession which found Garlett inside 50m. Garlett, understandably, thought his jets would leave the aging Dustin Fletcher for dead. What he’d give now to have taken the set shot. Then to inflame matters, with under a minute to run, the ball “safe” in the hands of the dependable Kade Simpson, he inexplicably kicked out on the full, tarnishing an otherwise superb individual performance. The resultant turn over lead to the Bombers’ levelling behind and the rest, as they say, is history.

It was two premiership points that got away from the Blues and the questions about how deep into September Carlton will travel remain unanswered a month into the season.

Lachie Henderson was substitute by Andrew Walker late during the 3rd quarter.

Team

Milestones

150 Games (Carlton): Heath Scotland
First League Goal: Jeremy Laidler
Interesting Fact: It had only been 5 years since the last draw between these 2 great Clubs.

Brownlow Votes

3. Dustin Fletcher, Essendon
2. Nick Duigan, Carlton
1. Marc Murphy, Carlton

Best & Fairest Votes

Nick Duigan 39, Michael Jamison 38, Marc Murphy 35, Heath Scotland 32, Jarrad Waite 26, Ed Curnow 25, Simon White 21, Chris Yarran 19, Chris Judd 17, Kade Simpson 11, Robert Warnock 6

Ladder