CARLTON and Essendon meet in their annual King's Birthday Eve clash at the MCG on Sunday night.
The Blues need a win coming off their mid-season bye, holding a 4-7 win-loss record after losing three of their past four.
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Carlton has enjoyed a strong recent record against the Bombers, winning four of the past five meetings between the clubs.
Despite being hit hard by injury, the Bombers are 6-5 and pushed reigning premier Brisbane hard at the Gabba last week.
Darcy Parish returns for his first game of 2025 in a boost for the Bombers' midfield, while Carlton has four big inclusions in the form of Zac Williams, Jack Silvagni, Alex Cincotta and Orazio Fantasia. Harry O'Farrell, Lewis Young, Jaxon Binns and Corey Durdin have been omitted.
Carlton v Essendon at the MCG, 7.20pm AEST
NO LATE CHANGES
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Will White
Essendon: Archer Day-Wicks
North Melbourne v West Coast at Hands Oval, 1.20pm AWST
NO LATE CHANGES
SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Robert Hansen jnr
West Coast: Bo Allan
