On a night when so much attention was on umpire Scott McLaren as he took charge of the Bombers for the first time since Essendon skipper James Hird was critical of his umpiring, Kevin Sheedy’s team prevailed as the veteran Dons’ boss celebrated his 800th league game as a player and coach
Essendon cantered in 17.15 (117) to 12.8 (80) despite Matthew Lloyd scoring just 2.7 thanks in no small part to the close-checking and diligent work of Bret Thornton.
The win also came despite the Bombers being outplayed for most of the first half by Denis Pagan’s team, which came into this game on the back of some improved form following a thumping win over Geelong and a last minute loss to the Kangaroos in the past fortnight.
The umpires certainly showed they weren’t going to be intimidated by the obvious pressure following Hird’s comments, which led to his $20,000 payment to the AFL during the week, as the Blues benefited from eight frees to two in the opening quarter.
But it was the first term effort of Brett Johnson, rather than that run of frees from the umpires that was responsible for the Blues’ two goal lead at the first change.
Hird, who was shadowed brilliantly all night by Trent Sporn, managed just one touch in the opening term as the enormous pressure on him throughout the week seemed to affect his performance.
By halfway through the second term the Blues’ midfield dominance was continuing as Johnson plus other new recruits Heath Scotland and Nick Stevens had helped themselves to a total of 41 touches.
But the Blues were letting themselves down with poor disposal with even Scott Camporeale making some costly turnovers.
And when Johnson undid his fine first half work by allowing himself to be run down by Nathan Lovett-Murray – a late call-up for the ill Joel Reynolds – just before half-time, the resultant goal cut the Blues lead to just four points.
It was not a true reflection of the Blues’ dominance to that stage and the Bombers really made Carlton pay from halfway through the third term, when they clearly had the ball and a few crucial decisions, running their way.
It was two long goals from Adam Ramanauskas which split the game open late in the third term and when Hird snapped a goal off the pack minutes later, the Bombers were suddenly 21 points up at the 23 minute mark.
The Bombers slammed on three more quick goals through much-improved trio Adam McPhee, Marc Bullen and Ricky Dyson.
The Blues added five goals through Lance Whitnall, Ryan Houlihan, Brad Fisher and Sporn (2) to Essendon’s four in the final term – and they’ll be hoping that momentum will carry over into their next assignment against the West Coast Eagles at Optus Oval next Saturday.
Carlton coach Denis Pagan said his side didn’t make the most of its early opportunities and struggled in attack.
“Our forwards certainly didn’t have good nights tonight. People who were successful last week and really played a part, couldn’t fire today,” he said.
“To be smashed eight goals to one in the third quarter was a really disappointing part of the game and we just can’t accept that sort of thing.”
“We just couldn’t get a kick inside 50. We might have had 11 or 12 entries in the third quarter but we just didn’t look like kicking a goal.”
CARLTON: 3.3, 6.6, 7.7, 12.8 (80)
ESSENDON: 1.3, 5.8, 13.11, 17.15 (117)
Goals: Carlton: Fevola 2, Bannister 2, Whitnall 2, Sporn 2, Morrell, Lappin, Houlihan, Fisher
Essendon: Lovett-Murray 3, Lloyd 2, Ramanauskas 2, Hird 2, Solomon 2, Dyson 2, Welsh, Alvey, McPhee, Bullen
Best: Carlton: Johnson, Stevens, Sporn, Bannister, Houlihan
Essendon: McPhee, Rioli, Peverill, Solomon, Hird, Misiti, Dyson
INJURIES: Carlton: None
Essendon:. Reynolds (flu) replaced in selected side by Lovett-Murray, Bullen (calf), Henneman (corked hip)
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: McLaren, Dore, Wenn
CROWD: 60,864 at MCG
