Australian Football

Match Report

Carlton and Essendon have played some amazing games over 117 seasons in the VFL and AFL, but Saturday night's is one that will surely be remembered and revisited virtually more than any other in history. Essendon, embroiled in the supplements scandal for much of the season, had lost its last four games and its players looked jaded, down and out going into this fixture, and Carlton, looking to grab a place in the top eight, was expected to make short work of the Bombers.

And at times in the first two and a half quarters of this match it appeared as though that's exactly what would happen. The Blues broke away at various stages only for Essendon to hit back, but then scored five consecutive goals on either side of the half time break and 20-point lead at the midpoint of the third quarter. At that stage it appeared the floodgates would open for the Blues.

But Essendon did not break. Indeed, it did not even bend. Hurley scored a goal at the 14-minute mark and four minutes later Brendon Goddard added another and Essendon players and fans alike began to believe the impossible might indeed be achievable. The Blues dominated the next fifteen minutes but could only manage 1.5 in that period. Then, at the nine-minute mark of the last quarter, Essendon made its move, with David Myers kicking a goal, and Michael Hurley scoring another two minutes later.

The difference was suddenly just five points. At the 15-minute mark Paddy Ryder marked 35 metres out and converted, putting Essendon in front and sending Bomber fans into a frenzy. Both sides had further chances in the next few minutes but the Blues could manage only two behinds, and the Dons only one. Finally with just over a minute left on the clock, David Zaharakis swooped on a loose ball in the forward pocket and slotted a goal that gave Essendon a memorable six-point win.

With the likelihood of being banned from playing in finals hanging over their head, it made the Bombers' victory all the more remarkable. The win was set up by fine performances from captain Jobe Watson, Michael Hurley and Brendon Goddard. For Carlton, Kade Simpson, Chris Yarran and Tom Bell did all they could to keep Carlton in the game.

The win leaves Essendon in seventh place, although it seems certain now that the Bombers will lose their finals place. For Carlton, the loss would in normal circumstances condemn it to missing the finals, but with Essendon likely to lose its points, the Blues could yet finish ninth with a win over Port Adelaide and gain a place in September action by default.

GOALS
Carlton: Menzel, Yarran 2; Tuohy, Henderson, Gibbs, Betts, Armfield
Essendon: Hurley 3; Watson, Crameri 2; Zaharakis, Ryder, Myers, Kommer, Goddard

BEST - SPORTAL.COM.AU
Carlton: Simpson, Yarran, Curnow, Bell, Robinson, Scotland
Essendon: Watson, Hurley, Hooker, Goddard, Zaharakis, Hocking, Carlisle

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Carlton: Simpson, Yarran, Scotland, Bell, Curnow, Robinson
Essendon: Watson, Hurley, Hocking, Goddard, Pears, Myers

INJURIES
Carlton: Matthew Kreuzer (calf) and Andrew Walker (gastro) replaced in selected side by Nick Duigan and Aaron Joseph; Brock McLean (quad)
Essendon: Crameri (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Nick Graham replaced Brock McLean (quad) in the first quarter
Essendon: Ben Howlett replaced Alwyn Davey in the third quarter

UMPIRES: Stevic, Stewart, Mollison

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Brian Taylor, Luke Darcy, Matthew Richardson, Cameron Ling