ESSENDON has stamped itself as a legitimate finals contender with a superb 69-point win over Carlton at the MCG on Friday night.
Played before 83,407 fans and in a finals-like atmosphere, the Bombers seized control in the third term before running away in the last to celebrate their best and most emphatic win of the year, 21.10 (136) to 9.13 (67).
There was plenty at stake for both sides going into the clash with the match pitting seventh (Carlton) against eighth (Essendon).
But in the end, fans might have left the ground thinking the Bombers are genuine challengers in 2009 as they not only consolidated their place in the eight, but moved closer to the top four with a percentage-boosting win.
It was a horrible night for the Blues who, after leading by 14 points mid-way through the second quarter, succumbed meekly, only kicking three more majors for the evening.
The Bombers would kick 16 of the last 18 goals of the match to storm away.
For Essendon, Andrew Welsh (30 possessions) was outstanding in not only limiting Chris Judd’s influence but also setting up his side, while Brent Prismall (25 touches) and the unsung Hayden Skipworth (19 disposals, two goals) also got their side’s engine room up and running.
In attack, Angus Monfries (five goals) and Matthew Lloyd (four goals) were both lively.
The only worry for Essendon was an ankle injury to Jobe Watson, which made its win all the more meritorious.
He left the field midway through the second term – when Carlton gained the upper hand – and briefly returned to play out the half. However he was unsighted after half-time.
It was tough to find good players for Carlton, especially after half time when Essendon completely controlled the game.
Midfielders Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs were both prolific while Andrew Carrazzo did a good job negating Brent Stanton.
The Bombers got off to a decent start but perhaps didn’t capitalise on the dominance they seemed to enjoy in the general run of play.
Essendon had only won four opening quarters this season but won a fifth after going to the first change a point up after a spirited opening.
The Blues booted the first of the game through Brendan Fevola, and alarm bells might have been ringing for Matthew Knights when Judd streamed forward and hit the star forward lace out three minutes into the contest.
But the Bombers worked their way into the game, and Watson’s efforts – particularly around the clearances – were largely responsible.
The game really heated up in the second term – with the two teams sharing 11 goals – although at one stage it looked as though the Blues might run away with the game.
After Watson hobbled from the field 10 minutes in, Carlton seized its chance and booted three straight goals to surge to a 14-point lead and the momentum looked to be going all one way.
However Watson returned – although his appearance would only be brief – and Essendon responded.
Goals to Lloyd, Kyle Reimers and the lively Alwyn Davey saw Essendon regain the lead, and it was evident the young Bombers weren’t going away without a fight.
But that were going to do plenty more than that, as their fight would turn into a second-half rampage.
It was after the main break that the Bombers did all the damage.
After leading by just four points at the main break, an inspired third term saw them boot six goals to one to assert their authority.
Welsh had nine touches for the quarter while Tayte Pears – playing on Fevola – drifted forward a couple of times to set up goals.
Essendon had all the momentum while Carlton looked flat and couldn’t find the steadier it needed.
Finally, Betts booted a late goal but by then the margin was six goals.
Lloyd replied immediately, and with a six-goal buffer at the last change the writing was on the wall.
The final term turned into a party of goals off the ground and great marks – highlighted by an Andrew Lovett hanger.
Paddy Ryder put an exclamation mark on the win when he goaled after the siren.
Essendon’s big tests continue next week when it takes on Collingwood in another Friday night blockbuster while Carlton will try to redeem itself when it travels to Subiaco to take on Fremantle.
Essendon 2.4 8.5 14.9 21.10 (136)
Carlton 2.3 7.7 8.9 9.13 (67)
GOALS
Essendon: Monfries 5, Lloyd 4, Lovett 3, Lucas 3, Skipworth 2, Reimers, Davey, Stanton, Ryder
Carlton: Betts 3, Fevola 2, O’hAilpin, Simpson, Gibbs, Judd
BEST
Essendon: Welsh, Prismall, Skipworth, Pears, Lovett, Monfries,
Carlton: Murphy, Carrazzo, Gibbs, Betts, O’hAilpin
INJURIES
Essendon: Watson (ankle)
Carlton: Bower (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Stevic, Wenn
Official crowd: 83,407 at the MCG
Vote for your best on ground now - Carlton Natural Blonde People’s Champion
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
