1. Ed Curnow's chest-pat on an umpire
Charlie Curnow made a welcome return for the Blues, particularly in the absence of fellow key forward Levi Casboult, and after the athletic youngster nailed his third goal late in the third term, his older brother Ed was involved in an incident that will receive much airplay. There was a scuffle near the Blues' goal, after which a free kick was paid to Essendon at the centre bounce. As umpire Nathan Williamson explained the decision to Ed Curnow, the Blues midfielder placed a hand on the umpire's chest. Just days after Geelong star Tom Hawkins received a one-game suspension after touching an umpire, Curnow should be nervous. It was the only blemish on a terrific day for the tagger, who nullified Zach Merrett (16 touches and a goal) while having 24 possessions and kicking two goals himself.
2. It's crisis time for Essendon – and party time for the Blues
The talk in pre-season was that the Bombers had assembled a team that could challenge for the premiership. No one has said that for some time, and the Dons are now only an outside chance to make the finals after losing their fourth successive game and plunging to 2-6. There could not be more pressure on Essendon coach John Worsfold and his team leaders, who were again found wanting. On the other side of the coin, Carlton finally posted its first win and put an end to its worst start to a season. The Blues have won two of their past three games against Essendon, both wins being in wet conditions. They won the Madden Cup and, in doing so, paid tribute to members of the club's 1968 premiership team, who reunited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their 1968 triumph over Essendon. It was largely an ugly contest, but tell that to Blues fans. They reckon it was Blue-tiful.
BLUES BREAK DROUGHT: Full match coverage and stats
3. Essendon's third-quarter woes continue
When play restarted after half-time, Zach Merrett goaled in the opening 15 seconds and Essendon maintained its lead for the next 19 minutes, and it seemed the Bombers might finally win a third quarter for the first time this season. But Carlton rattled on the next three goals to take an 11-point lead by the last change. In their previous eight third quarters combined, the Bombers have been outscored by 147 points. And it could have been worse, given the Blues missed a few very gettable set shots.
4. Lamb roasts Goddard
Last week experienced Essendon defenders Brendon Goddard and Michael Hurley were criticised by former Sydney coach Paul Roos for their lack of accountability, and Goddard was again under fire early against the Blues. The veteran copped a hard tag from Carlton forward Jed Lamb, who returned to the Blues line-up with a vengeance, pestering Goddard to the point of exasperation. Lamb subjected Goddard to constant nudging, pushing and verballing, and even ruffled the Bomber's hair. Adding further sting, by quarter-time Lamb had won seven possessions, kicked a goal and had a hand in another, while Goddard had just four touches. At the break, Essendon coach John Worsfold spoke at length with Goddard, who spent the first seven minutes of the second term on the bench before being moved to a wing and still wasn't himself. Meanwhile, Lamb nailed a second goal, an important one, in the last quarter.
5. Lang's perfect start as a Blue
Former Geelong runner Darcy Lang, who joined Carlton during last year's trade period, finally made his first appearance for his new club – and he was immediately into the action. At a stoppage inside the Blues' forward arc in the first minute of play, Lang roved the pack and snapped truly on his left foot from 25 metres. In his 45th AFL game, the 22-year-old kicked another goal in the third term in a promising first up outing.
