It's Happened Again | Thebigtip

Saturday, 16th April
MCG
Carlton vs. Essendon
Draw

Carlton     
0.2.2
4.9.33
6.13.49   
11.13 (79)

Essendon
3.2.20
6.3.39
7.8.50 
11.13.79

Goals
Carlton: Simpson (3), Waite, Garlett, Laidler, Curnow, Carazzo, Murphy, Warnock, Yarran
Essendon: Jetta (2), Lonergan (2), Hurley, Bellchambers, Watson, Fletcher, Zaharakis, Stanton, Melksham

Bests
Carlton: Murphy, Waite, Gibbs, Yarran, Robinson, Jamison, Judd
Essendon: Fletcher, Hooker, Zaharakis, Watson, Bellchambers, Hardingham, Lonergan
 
Injuries
Carlton: None
Essendon: Winderlich (knee), Dempsey (knee)

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 78,605


This match was one that was expected to be a big game. Carlton vs. Essendon, two arch rivals, perhaps a curtain raiser to next round's Anzac Day clash. The experts were finding it hard to tip with either side, and both sides were paying 1.92 for the win, which didn't change throughout the whole week. Plenty of bets were put on for the draw in this match, and who knew that they would be getting money back? We would see the third draw in four rounds of the AFL season.

Essendon were looking to prove they are here to stay and it was all the Bombers from the first bounce. The first clearance of the game was a clean one to Essendon and from then on they were in complete control of the game. The Bombers managed to kick three goals through Michael Hurley, Tom Bellchambers and Sam Lonergan. This was all good for the Bombers while they kicked ahead and the Blues struggled but it was outweighed by bad knee injuries to Jason Winderlich and Courtenay Dempsey who both took no part in the game and are likely to miss a long period of footy.

The injuries left the Bombers with only two on the interchange bench while the Blues shined in the second quarter, cutting the margin back to six points at half time. The quarter looked to be a good start for the Bombers with a long goal from inside the square by Dustin Fletcher. Carlton hit back straight after this with a goal to Jeff Garlett which the Blues needed badly before Zaharakis got it back once again. The big man Jarrad Waite had a big second quarter which was capped off with a goal before Jobe Watson kicked a captain's goal for Essendon. The Bombers looked like they didn't want to say die although back-to-back goals to Kade Simpson saw the margin back to six points while the Bombers were left stunned and wounded.

Once again in the third quarter, it looked like the two man bench would threaten to slow the Bombers down but they managed to stay in it to be behind by one point at three quarter time. It was a sticky situation when a goal was paid to Laidler for the Blues, after it looked certain that it was touched on the line. This goal made scores level, which was followed by a quick snap out of a pack by Ed Curnow for Carlton. Later in the quarter after a long drought, the Bombers picked up another goal through Sam Lonergan. It was hard fought for the rest of the quarter and Carlton ended the last change with a one point lead which promised a great finish.

The last quarter of this game was brilliant. It was, in fact, a quarter that can not be put into words, but you can only describe it by simply putting down what happened. Below is what un-folded in the fourth quarter, of a brilliant match.

Essendon Goal - Jetta
Carlton Goal - Carrazzo
Carlton Goal - Murphy
Carlton Goal - Warnock
Essendon Goal - Stanton
Essendon Goal - Melksham
Carlton Goal - Yarran
Essendon Goal - Jetta
Carlton Goal - Simpson
Essendon Point - Zaharakis, scores level.

As a Collingwood supporter reviewing a Carlton and Essendon match, it is hard to say that these two sides have played out the best game of the year so far and one of the best in a long time. It may be the AFL's third draw so far this season, but it was definitely a better game than the other two. Words can't describe how hard both sides worked for this game and how much heart was poured into it to try and find the win. The Bombers were hit with injury, playing half the game with only two men on the interchange bench and the Blues worked hard to come back after a dominant first quarter by the Bombers.

This sets up a brilliant clash on Anzac Day between the Magpies and the Bombers. Carlton are back up next Saturday night against the Crows at Etihad Stadium. Both sides will be looking to bounce back with a win, but the Bombers may find it much harder, coming up against the reigning premiers.

The one thing that comes from this is we know that this match will not be forgotten for a very long time. Credit to both sides for providing any AFL fan with a brilliant game to watch. If anything will bring other fans to the sport, this is what will.