The opening match today and a crucial match for both teams is between Essendon Bombers and Carlton Blues. The opening bounce is set to commence at 1:45pm local time with the match being played at the MCG. View our live AFL scores, results and dream team points.
The last time these two teams met was in Round 4 this year in which Essendon won by thirty points at the MCG.
Essendon make four changes to their losing team with Patrick Ryder, Brent Stanton, Cale Hooker and David Zaharakis coming in for Nathan Lovett-Murray, Scott Gumbleton, Travis Colyer and Mark Baguley.
Carlton make two inclusions with Chris Judd and Nick Duigan to replace Rhys O’Keeffe and Matthew Watson.
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WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday August 15, 1.45pm
LAST TIME: Carlton 11.13 (79) defeated by Essendon 15.19 (109) round 4, 2012 at the MCG
Essendon Bombers $2.12 vs Carlton Blues $1.75 at Sportsbet Australia
Essendon Bombers $2.10 vs Carlton Blues $1.76 at Luxbet Australia
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Essendon Bombers 
- B: Jake Carlisle, Kyle Hardingham, Dyson Heppell
- HB: Alex Browne, Cale Hooker, Dustin Fletcher
- C: Courtenay Dempsey, Brent Stanton, David Zaharakis
- HF: Leroy Jetta, Stewart Crameri, Angus Monfries
- F: Michael Hurley, Patrick Ryder, Alwyn Davey
- Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Jobe Watson, Heath Hocking
- I/C: Sam Lonergan, Jake Melksham, Michael Hibberd, Brendan Lee
- Emg: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Travis Colyer, Mark Baguley
- In: Patrick Ryder, Brent Stanton, Cale Hooker, David Zaharakis
- Out: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Scott Gumbleton, Travis Colyer, Mark Baguley
Carlton Blues 
- B: Nick Duigan, Simon White, Zach Tuohy
- HB: Bryce Gibbs, Andrew McInnes, Christopher Yarran
- C: Heath Scotland, Chris Judd, Kade Simpson
- HF: Andrew Walker, Jarrad Waite, Marc Murphy
- F: Eddie Betts, Levi Casboult, Jeffrey Garlett
- Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Mitch Robinson, Andrew Carrazzo
- I/C: Dennis Armfield, Brock McLean, Edward Curnow, Tom Bell
- Emg: Bret Thornton, David Ellard, Rhys O’Keeffe
- In: Chris Judd, Nick Duigan
- Out: Rhys O’Keeffe, Matthew Watson