Head to head: Carlton 117 wins, Essendon 109 wins, four draws
Last time: Carlton 9.13 (67) def by Essendon 21.10 (136), round 13, 2009 at the MCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Carlton
Mark Austin (groin) - 1 week
Paul Bower (leg) - test
Brad Fisher (knee) - 9-10 weeks
Chris Judd (suspension) - 1 week
Rhys O'Keeffe (hip) - 2-3 weeks
Essendon
Leroy Jetta (dislocated thumb) - 4 weeks
Mark McVeigh (infection) - test
FORM
Carlton: WL
Essendon: LL
SUMMARY
This is a heated traditional rivalry and with both teams coming off a loss there should be plenty of fireworks as they strive to get their respective seasons pointed in the right direction.
Both are reasonably healthy at the moment, but each coach will be sweating on the availability of one key player. Paul Bower was a late withdrawal for the Blues last week with a mystery leg injury, while Mark McVeigh has spent four nights in hospital after a cut on his arm became infected. Carlton played the Lions last Thursday while the Dons were beaten by Fremantle on Sunday, so the Blues and Bower have the edge in terms of recovery time.
Both are reasonably healthy at the moment, but each coach will be sweating on the availability of one key player. Paul Bower was a late withdrawal for the Blues last week with a mystery leg injury, while Mark McVeigh has spent four nights in hospital after a cut on his arm became infected. Carlton played the Lions last Thursday while the Dons were beaten by Fremantle on Sunday, so the Blues and Bower have the edge in terms of recovery time.
Essendon coach Matthew Knights has drawn some fire for his free-flowing, attacking game plan, with the same criticism levelled at Brett Ratten last year. The Carlton coach has pledged to install a harder, defensive edge to his team and this will be a good test.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Carlton's big Irishman Setanta O'hAilpin has clearly benefited from the departure of Brendan Fevola. He's kicked seven goals in two matches and will be worth keeping an eye on for his goal celebrations alone.
Paddy Ryder is one of the competition's better ruckmen when he's on song, but he put in a poor one against Fremenatle. His coach said as much after the game and he'll need to find something when pitted against Matthew Kreuzer and Robbie Warnock this week.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Blues apply the brakes or will they be blown away by the Bombers? You get the feeling this won't be a shootout going by the sounds emanating from Visy Park.
Will Mark Williams fire a shot? He's been highly disappointing in his first two - goalless - games in red and black.
Do past records matter? The Dons will be hoping they do as they look to make it six in a row against Carlton.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Both teams' forward lines are a work in progress after the departure of big-name key forwards in the off-season. With that in mind it's going to be a bumpy ride for both while they figure out what works for them in attack, but the Blues appear to have a few more avenues to goal right now.
PREDICTION
Carlton by 16 points
Follow Ben Broad's inside view of Carlton v Essendon at #aflbluesbombers on Twitter.com from 7.10pm Saturday or @AFL_BenBroad#aflbluesbombers
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
