Essendon coach Mark Thompson described Jake Carlisle’s performance as incredible after the young forward kicked eight goals in his side’s seven-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
Thompson’s side trailed by 20 points early in the last quarter.
But the Bombers lifted with five goals to the Bulldogs’ two in the final term – including two to Carlisle – to win 15.11 (101) to the Bulldogs’ 14.10 (94).
Essendon’s third consecutive victory puts the Bombers in seventh spot on the AFL ladder with a 10-7 record midway through round 18, which will be completed next weekend.
The Bulldogs were overpowered late despite having their chances as they suffered their 11th defeat from 17 games.
Carlisle took a club-record 19 marks in last week’s win over Collingwood and followed that effort with 19 possessions, 12 marks and a career-best eight goals on Sunday in front of a crowd of just under 35,000 at Etihad Stadium.
The 22-year-old former defender has been mentored by North Melbourne great Wayne Carey, who has helped turned the 65-game player into a dangerous key forward.
“Without him we wouldn’t have won, would we?,” Thompson said of Carlisle’s performance.
“There’s a bit of banter in the rooms that Wayne Carey should be a coach and the forwards coach who coaches Jake, he’s not getting any compliments and he’s a bit upset.
“I don’t care what happens as long as he plays like that.
“He’s been incredible really.”
Thompson struggled to explain Carlisle’s improvement.
“There’s no reason why. Except for Wayne,” Thompson grinned.
“I didn’t know he was capable of this.
“People say satisfying. Yeah, it is.”
Carey says Carlisle is simply reading the game better.
“He’s finding himself in much better positions,” Carey told Triple M Radio.
Jake Stringer also notched a career-best tally of goals, kicking five for the Bulldogs.
Ruck/forward Patrick Ryder and midfielder Dyson Heppell were busy for the Bombers while Jack Macrae and Ryan Griffen were dominant in midfield for the Bulldogs.
Four consecutive goals in the final term put the Bombers ahead by six points before 18-year-old Marcus Bontempelli’s goal from close range levelled the scores.
Jason Winderlich’s crucial mark and goal for Essendon at the 24-minute mark was the last score of the game, as the Bombers held on for an exciting win.
Joe Daniher was a late withdrawal from Essendon’s selected side with a shoulder injury and Thompson says the key forward is in doubt for the SCG clash with Sydney on August 1.
The Bulldogs face Hawthorn in Launceston on August 3.
Coach Brendan McCartney was offering no excuses for his Bulldogs’ side.
“You’re not stiff when you look down the stats sheet and they win almost everything in the last 10 minutes,” he said.
JAKE CARLISLE’S RUN OF FORM
* Round 17: four goals, 26 possessions, 19 marks v Collingwood
* Round 18: eight goals, 19 possessions, 12 marks, seven tackles v Western Bulldogs
