CARLTON 6.3 7.4 11.4 14.6 (90)
ESSENDON 1.3 9.6 11.11 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Carlton: Watson 4, Yarran 2, Menzel 2, Armfield, Bell, Waite, Lucas, McLean, Wood
Essendon: Daniher 2, Watson 2, Ryder 2, Ambrose, Merrett, Winderlich, Stanton, Chapman, Goddard, Gleeson
BEST
Carlton: Watson, McLean, Judd, Docherty, Gibbs
Essendon: Watson, Hibberd, Colyer, Ryder, Stanton
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Essendon: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Patrick Cripps replaced Dennis Armfield in the fourth quarter
Essendon: Martin Gleeson replaced Orazio Fantasia at three-quarter time
Crowd: 56,658 at the MCG
Carlton's Cameron Wood competes for the ball against Essendon opponent Paddy Ryder. Photo: Quinn Rooney (Getty)
What happened
Essendon and Carlton have drawn on Saturday afternoon at the MCG, a result that assures the Bombers an elimination final against the Kangaroos in Melbourne next week.
Bryce Gibbs had the chance to deliver Carlton an upset win, but his set shot from 45m in the dying seconds failed to make the distance, and Essendon cleared the ball from its defence.
In a see-sawing match, the Blues opened a five-goal at quarter time before the Bombers hit the front by 14 points at half-time.
Essendon led by 30 points midway through the third term, but allowed Carlton to launch a spirited comeback, and hit the front late in the final stanza.
Zach Touhy also missed a set shot inside the last two minutes, which could have put the Blues in front.
A Carlton victory would have left Essendon sweating on Saturday night's Sydney v Richmond clash - a Tigers win could have sent them interstate for a cut-throat final against Fremantle or Port Adelaide.
But the two points for a draw - the first of season 2014 - will now certainly see them finish above Richmond.
It was the sixth draw between Carlton and Essendon, and the third in the past 21 years.
The clean ball use of veteran Carlton midfielders Chris Judd (28 touches) and Brock McLean (30 disposals) stood out in the pristine conditions.
Matthew Watson booted four goals in a cameo role in the Blues forward line.
The Bombers will enter the finals on the back of a scratchy performance, where they looked intent on claiming a no-fuss win.
Joe Daniher, Paddy Ryder and skipper Jobe Watson booting two goals each.
Essendon reacted to coach Mark Thompson's spray at quarter-time with an eight-goal run in the second term.
Travis Colyer (19 possessions) provided valuable dash through the centre, and set up several crucial plays for Essendon when the match was up for grabs, while Dyson Heppell had a team-high 25 disposals.
What's next
It's curtains for Carlton which will likely finish 2014 in 14th spot on the ladder.
Essendon's elimination final against the Kangaroos will likely be on Saturday night, with the AFL to confirm the finals schedule on Sunday.