After winning their first six games this season, Essendon have lost three of their last four.
A lost to Geelong, a surprise defeat to Brisbane and a lost to Sydney last week (115-71) have seen the Bombers slip to fifth position on the ladder.
The only win over the past month has been over Richmond (91-62) which took their MCG record to 3-0, so the Bombers will be happy to return to the ‘G’.
Carlton are 2-2 at the venue with their wins coming over Melbourne and Adelaide in rounds 6 and 5 respectively.
Carlton has won six of their last seven including their last three in succession however, in terms of the draw, have had a good time of it and have met teams in the bottom half of the table such as Melbourne, St. Kilda, GWS who they defeated 148-54 last week.
The next month however will be a big test for the Blues with Hawthorn, Sydney and Collingwood to face in the next three rounds and a win here is vital if they are to hold on to their spot on the ladder (6th) heading into the second half of the season.
Essendon have only got the better of Carlton once in their six clashes and were well accounted for last time the two sides met 156-60, in round 21 last year.
It’s fair to say that the Bombers of now though, are in a much better place then last year’s team however and would expect them to keep their MCG record in tact.
TIP: ESSENDON 1 – 39
Odds comparison by AFL Odds:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Essendon Bombers | 1.80 | 1.80 | 1.81 | 1.80 | 1.80 | 1.84 |
|
Carlton Blues
|
2.00 | 2.00 | 2.02 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.98 |
Teams:
Essendon Bombers:
B: Mark Baguley, Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hibberd
HB: Brendon Goddard, Cale Hooker, Dyson Heppell
C: Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Ben Howlett
HF: Jake Melksham, Michael Hurley, Alwyn Davey
F: David Zaharaki, Joe Daniher, Nick Kommer
Foll: Patrick Ryder, David Myers, Heath Hocking
Int: Will Hams, Jake Carlisle, Stewart Crameri, Jason Winderlich
Emerg: Tom Bellchambers, Leroy Jetta, Kyle Hardingham
In: A.Davey, B.Howlett, M.Hurley, J.Daniher
Out: C.Dempsey (ribs), L.Jetta, S.Gumbleton (ankle), T.Bellchambers
Carlton Blues:
B: Mitch Robinson, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson
HB: Zach Tuohy, Dennis Armfield, Simon White
C: Chris Yarran, Chris Judd, Kade Simpson
HF: Ed Curnow, Andrew Walker, Jeff Garlett
F: Brock McLean, Jarrad Waite, Matthew Kreuzer
Foll: Levi Casboult, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland
Int: Bryce Gibbs, Kane Lucas, Eddie Betts, Jaryd Cachia
Emerg: Josh Bootsma, Troy Menzel, Sam Rowe
In: C.Judd, E.Betts, K.Lucas
Out: T.Menzel, T.Bell, J.Bootsma
