TV: Channel 7, Fox Footy
MATCH NOTES:
- Essendon will be hurting after Jake Carlisle was ruled out on Tuesday night due to a hamstring strain. The key forward has missed two games with a back niggle and his absence has been noticed. Carlisle was one of the most in-form players in the AFL a month ago when he took 31 marks in two weeks against the Bulldogs and Collingwood. The injury will force another reshuffle of the Bombers’ forward stocks with Joe Daniher and possibly Michael Hurley set to shoulder the key forward duties.
- Essendon have won three out of the last five games played between the teams at the MCG. They’ve also won five more games than the Blues this year. But Carlton has averaged three more points a game this year than Essendon (85-82).
- Carlton could have an advantage up front with small forwards like Jeff Garlett – if he’s selected for this match after his famous birthday pub fight - bothering the Bombers in the past. The Blues are ranked third in marks inside 50 per game, averaging 12.2 each match ahead of Essendon’s 11.8.
KEY INJURIES:
ESSENDON
Dyson Heppell Hand Test
Cale Hooker Concussion Test
Alex Browne* Knee Season
Jake Carlisle Hamstring Two weeks
Dustin Fletcher Finger Season
Will Hams* Hip Season
Nick Kommer* Knee tendinitis Season
Nick O'Brien Thumb Season
Tayte Pears Heel Season
CARLTON
Marc Murphy Concussion Test
Andrejs Everitt Knee Test
Dylan Buckley Hamstring Test
Dale Thomas Knee Ankle Test
Brock McLean Calf Test
Jaryd Cachia Shoulder Season
David Ellard Ankle Season
Cameron Giles Foot Season
Lachie Henderson Eye Season
Andrew Walker Knee Season
Mitch Robinson Eye Season
David Ellard Ankle Season
LAST FIVE GAMES:
ESSENDON
W 7 Western Bulldogs
L 22 Sydney
L 18 Richmond
W 3 West Coast
W 19 Gold Coast
CARLTON
W 23 North Melbourne
L 5 Fremantle
W 39 Gold Coast
L 6 Geelong
L 103 Port Adelaide
FINAL WORD
Will Essendon be able to put this week’s distractions behind them? The return of James Hird after his 12 month suspension is sure to have some impact on the players. They are in high spirits though, after a win over the Suns last week but are they pretenders just making up the numbers or the real deal? The Bombers will be hoping for the return of star midfielder Dyson Heppell especially after losing Carlisle, potentially for the season.
After a disappointing season the Blues will be keen to finish the season strongly, particularly against traditional arch rival Essendon. Despite picking up their form in the second half of the year they are coming off a serious beating from Port Adelaide last week and it may be hard to regain confidence without a finals ticket to strive for. Essendon by 18 points.