Coming, coming, gone!: Round 13 wrap (Friday)

After a tough week, Carlton capitulated to a rampaging Essendon in an embarrassing 69 point thrashing.

The first half was hard fought until Essendon’s most dominant player, Jobe Watson, was lost to injury half way through the second quarter. Carlton slammed on three goals and looked to have the ascendancy, but the Bombers fought back to lead at half time. The start of the third quarter was fairly even until Marc Murphy missed a goal at a crucial time, before Brent Stanton goaled minutes later. After that Carlton’s resistance totally fell away and Essendon constantly out ran them and out numbered them at the contest.

Andrew Welsh (DT100/SC 96), in only his second game back from a long injury, typified the Bombers superior hunger for the contest. Not only did he quell Chris Judd (82/79), but collected 30 disposals in a major tactical win for Essendon. As the game went on, Tayte Pears (60/100) continually embarrassed a lazy Brendan Fevola by running free down the ground and setting up goals with three inside 50 kicks. Stanton and Andrew Lovett, who were both tagged out of the game in the first half, broke free in the second half and accumulated possessions once the pressure eased. Hayden Skipworth (84/94) was crucial in the heat of the first quarter and soldiered on despite suffering a knock to the knee.

Carlton had the look of a flat track bully. When Essendon turned the heat up, many Carlton players went missing. Bryce Gibbs (103/122) accumulated possessions but faded in the second half. Murphy (92/124) continued his hard work and courageous acts but too often his possessions did not hurt the opposition. Eddie Betts (78/116) was their only consistently dangerous forward, with Fevola almost giving up in the second half.

It will be interesting to see the team sheets on Thursday. Brett Ratten has to make a statement with his selections next week. Who do you think will be dropped next week? Is it just a coincidence Carlton have lost a number of close games this year or do they go missing when the heat is on? Are Essendon a genuine finals contender?