Essendon vs Carlton

Essendon have been struggling this year, and face yet another sizeable test against the top-four hunting Blues at the MCG. Follow our live AFL ScoreCentre ...

Utility Jack Silvangi and midfielder Matt Kennedy looked sore at the end of the third quarter but were both able to return to the field in the final term. Essendon lifted after Carlton slammed through the first three goals of the game but the Blues powered ahead by kicking 5.3 to 2.2 in the second quarter. In front of 65,440 fans, Essendon put on a memorable pre-game show at the MCG as captain Dyson Heppell delivered a stirring address to players in a circle full of Bombers legends of the past 50 years.

Essendon has made a late change ahead of its 150-year anniversary game against its high-flying rival.

The Bombers are boosted by the return of Jake Stringer, with Mason Redman and Matt Guelfi also back. Carlton is unchanged, with Matt Cottrell as the starting medical sub. He has been replaced by Tom Cutler in the starting line-up, with Alec Waterman to start on the bench as the substitute.

'He can definitely go, Vossy': Star Blues open up on THAT spray from coach.

“To the boys’ credit I thought we responded. You always need a big spray like that here and there.” This (Cripps example) is not the way Carlton play now, swinging onto your left foot and just kicking it blindly,” he said.

Essendon has made a late change ahead of its 150-year anniversary game against its high-flying rival.

The Bombers are boosted by the return of Jake Stringer, with Mason Redman and Matt Guelfi also back. Carlton is unchanged, with Matt Cottrell as the starting medical sub. He has been replaced by Tom Cutler in the starting line-up, with Alec Waterman to start on the bench as the substitute.

Carlton solidified their top four credentials with a comfortable victory over a poor Essendon side at the MCG, but boss Michael Voss still wasn't happy with ...

'He can definitely go, Vossy, he has a really nice balance to it. Carlton solidified their top four credentials with a comfortable victory over the Bombers Carlton solidified their top four credentials with a comfortable victory over a poor Essendon side at the MCG, but boss Michael Voss still wasn't happy with his team's effort. Michael Voss launched a ferocious spray at his Carlton stars during their victory v Essendon - The Carlton boss launched a ferocious three-quarter time spray at his stars - Carlton solidified their top four credentials with a comfortable win vs Essendon

Essendon suffers a 26-point loss to Carlton in its 150-year celebration game.

He finished with eight disposals and four marks in a welcome return to the top level. A group of newly signed AFLW players was introduced (complete with a few boos for former Blue Maddy Prespakis), while James Hird received the biggest cheer of the lot. The pair combined for five goals in wet conditions, and their ability to convert their opportunities set them apart in an often error-strewn game. Skipper Dyson Heppell then pulled the 22 and the past players into a huddle for his pre-game speech. The last time Carlton key back Caleb Marchbank played at AFL level was in a pre-COVID world – round 16, 2019 to be precise. After a bright start, Darcy Parish was subbed off with a calf issue in the third quarter and finished with just 10 disposals.

However, Gerard Whateley told AFL Nation: “I think it (tonight's crowd) is a bit unders”. Neale Daniher, Matthew Lloyd and Gavin Wanganeen were just three of ...

Meanwhile, Carlton has passed the first test of their season after the bye. From there, the margin was too great. It’s almost as if they were in slow motion the Blues… they picked off easy possession after easy possession… it’s a shame for Essendon after their contest work,” former Melbourne captain Nathan Jones told AFL Nation after Carlton kicked their 12th goal midway through the third term. Essendon’s woes ahead of the football continued, even with the return of Jake Stringer who was disappointing, as the club kicked their fourth score in a row of fewer than 55 points. Despite conceding the first three goals, the speech seemed to work as the Bombers clawed their way back to kick the next three and claim the lead.