Chris Yarran and Paul Chapman are both handy in a scrap, so when they matched up on each other there was always the potential for fire. Ignition took just 10 minutes, and for a time it appeared both could be sidelined next week – Yarran with suspension and Chapman with concussion. The star duo had a dust-up off the ball, during which Yarran connected with a roundhouse left that dropped Chapman and opened up a cut over his right eye. Field umpire Justin Schmitt was a brave man, getting between the pair like a boxing referee and sending Chapman off under the blood rule. Chapman soon returned before exiting again for a concussion test. The former Cat re-emerged and was more than useful, kicking two goals and handing off another before halftime. Yarran wasn't reported but is certain to face scrutiny from the Match Review Panel. Blues teammate Bryce Gibbs later made late, high contact with Brendon Goddard that may also be looked at.

 

One of the reasons Adam Cooney left the Western Bulldogs for Essendon was to play in big games in front of big crowds, so it's cruel luck that the 2008 Brownlow medallist is likely to miss next week's Anzac Day clash with Collingwood after suffering a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old had been a good contributor with 15 disposals, five clearances (including three from the centre) and three scoring assists, before being substituted out of the game at the final change.

 

If there are any doubts about Dustin Fletcher's place in the Essendon line-up, he certainly made a strong case against the Blues, roaming the back half with his usual composure and agility. The AFL's oldest player, who missed the win over Hawthorn with a groin issue, is now five games away from becoming just the third man to play 400 games. The Blues also welcomed back an experienced playmaker, with Andrew Walker playing his first game of the season after overcoming a knee injury. Walker was one of his team's best ball winners, while youngster Patrick Cripps was also impressive.

In some ways, Brendon Goddard's performance in his 250th game mirrored his career: slower to get going than expected, but progressively more influential. The 29-year-old, who played 205 games with St Kilda before crossing to Essendon as a restricted free agent at the end of 2012, had just three touches in a quiet first term, and his kicking lacked its usual assurance in the opening quarter-and-a-half, but he got better as the game wore on. In the prime of his career, Goddard will be optimistic that the Bombers are also primed for higher honours this year.

Ciaran "Casey" Byrne became the third Irishman on Carlton's list to play at AFL level, following established backman Zach Tuohy and fellow international rookie Ciaran Sheehan. Byrne's parents, Brendan and Pauline, flew in from Ireland for the big occasion and were guests at the Blues' pre-match lunch. The 20-year-old, who played just 14 VFL games last year in his first season at Carlton before replacing the injured Cameron Giles on the club's primary list, was immediately into the action with two possessions within a minute of entering the field. He then gifted a goal to Travis Colyer for interference on the three-quarter-time siren, before doing some useful things in the last term.