Jonathan Healy at the MCG
Carlton's finals chances have suffered a massive blow after Essendon defeated the Blues by 35 points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Essendon dominated the first three quarters, but had to call on all of its reserves in the final term to register a gritty 20.16 (136) to 15.11 (101) victory.
The Bombers enjoyed a 25-point lead at the final change, but when Carlton booted the first four goals of the final term, their advantage had been evaporated.
But spurred on by a heroic David Hille in the ruck, Essendon steadied to go on and record its second victory over Carlton this year and just its fourth win of the season.
Hille finished the game with 22 disposals, five marks and an astonishing 36 hitouts in a best on ground performance, but plenty of his team-mates enjoyed good matches too.
Brett Stanton, Jobe Watson and David Myers won plenty of the ball in the midfield, Matthew Lloyd and Angus Monfries booted four goals apiece, while Andrew Welsh did a tremendous tagging job on Carlton skipper Chris Judd.
Welsh held Judd to a season-low 12 disposals and Carlton failed to find any other player to step up to fill the breach.
Nick Stevens and Marc Murphy tried hard, but with Judd's output down, Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola was starved for chances.
Fevola finished with seven goals, but he was made to work hard for every score by a persistent Dustin Fletcher.
After defeating arch rival Collingwood last Sunday, Carlton went into the match as short priced favourites and was expected to be too strong for a young Bombers outfit.
However, Essendon completely dominated the opening term by booting seven goals to one and opened up a 39-point lead at the first break.
After being belted 13-3 in the clearances in the first quarter, Carlton's star-studded midfield started to get their hands on the ball in the second stanza and, with Fevola converting well in front of goal, the Blues were back within 23 points at the main break.
The third term was an arm wrestle of sorts as both sides attempted to gain control, but a mistake from Mark McVeigh just prior to the three-quarter-time siren brought the Blues back into the game.
With 20 seconds left on the clock, McVeigh attempted to pin-point a pass in his defensive 50, but could only manage to find Murphy, who duly booted the goal to bring the Blues within 25 points at the final change.
Just when it appeared like Carlton was going to overrun Essendon in the final term, the young Bombers steadied and went on to record the victory that sees them just two and a half wins out of the top eight.
CARLTON: 1.2, 5.4, 9.6, 15.11 (101)
ESSENDON: 7.5, 8.9, 12.13, 20.16 (136)
GOALS: CARLTON: Fevola 7, Carrazzo 2, Stevens 2, Murphy, Betts, Simpson, Fisher
ESSENDON: Monfries 4, Lloyd 4, Lovett 3, Neagle 2, Reimers 2, McVeigh, McPhee, Jetta, Laycock, Lucas
BEST: CARLTON: Fevola, Stevens, Simpson, Murphy, Fisher, Carazzo
ESSENDON: Hille, Stanton, Monfries, Lloyd, Watson, Reimers
INJURIES: CARLTON: Nil
ESSENDON: Slattery (cracked cheekbone)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: McLaren, Chamberlain, Armstrong
CROWD: 59,177 at the MCG
Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. David Hille (Essendon)
2. Brett Stanton (Essendon)
1. Brendan Fevola (Carlton)