Match

Essendon vs Carlton

Commentary / 01 May 2021

Pre Game

00:00

Ed Curnow recorded a career-high 765 metres gained last round, eclipsing his previous best of 686 and just the fourth time he has recorded over 500 metres gained in a game.

Quarter 1

00:00

Q1 is now underway.

02:00

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti)

02:10

Jordan Ridley has grabbed 13 intercept marks this season - ranked No.1 at the club. His first intercept mark in this game launched that goal to Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

03:25

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Sam Walsh)

04:32

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Peter Wright)

05:27

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Mitch McGovern)

07:12

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Sam Walsh)

07:22

Paddy Dow has won all three of his team's clearances, with his third launching that goal to Sam Walsh.

08:26

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Jake Stringer)

09:17

Dyson Heppell has won four possessions, all from opposition disposals. His four intercept possessions are a game-high and three more than any other player.

12:13

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)

14:00

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

14:10

Essendon has recorded four scores from six inside 50s (67%). It has scored from 47% of its inside 50s this season - the fourth-highest percentage in the competition.

17:12

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti)

18:32

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Nick Hind)

21:11

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Eddie Betts)

21:21

Eddie Betts has been involved in all of his team's goals.

22:37

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Jake Stringer)

22:55

Blues Interchange - Paddy Dow off due to an injury.

24:25

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Harrison Jones)

27:32

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti)

27:42

Archie Perkins has recorded a game-high five score involvements, including two goal assists.

29:17

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Adam Saad)

29:27

Adam Saad has recorded five disposals at 100% efficiency and gained a game-high 221 metres for his team.

30:51

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti)

31:01

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has booted three goals in a game for the fourth time this season.

34:09

Essendon won six centre clearances in the opening term and scored 3.1 (19) from these, while Carlton failed to score from its five centre clearances.

Quarter 2

00:00

Q2 is now underway.

01:24

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (David Cuningham)

03:01

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

04:22

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Devon Smith)

04:32

The Dons have grabbed seven marks inside 50 and scored 5.2 (32) from this shot source.

05:49

SCORE GOAL - Blues (David Cuningham)

05:57

Blues Interchange - Paddy Dow off due to an injury.

08:38

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Harrison Jones)

08:48

Harrison Jones has grabbed three contested marks - a game-high and two more than any other player.

11:49

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Archie Perkins)

11:59

Both teams have won 10 forward half intercepts, with Carlton outscoring the Bombers by 12 points from this source.

14:23

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Matthew Owies)

14:33

The Blues have now scored 3.2 (20) from forward half intercepts. They have averaged 25.7 points per game from this source this season - ranked 10th.

18:34

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Eddie Betts)

18:44

Luke Parks has won a team-high five intercept possessions, with his fifth launching that goal to Eddie Betts.

23:55

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Ed Curnow)

24:47

Jacob Weitering has grabbed four intercept marks - a game-high and two more than any other player.

27:17

Nik Cox just grabbed his team's 10th contested mark. Prior to today, Essendon had taken nine contested marks per game this season - the second-fewest of any side.

28:28

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Patrick Cripps)

29:23

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Ed Curnow)

29:33

Another goal from a turnover to the Blues. All four of their second-quarter goals are from this source.

31:37

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Kyle Langford)

32:00

Both teams generated 15 inside 50s in the second term, with Carlton scoring 4.2 (26) to 2.2 (14).

Quarter 3

00:00

Q3 is now underway.

02:31

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Harry McKay)

02:41

Harry McKay kicks his first goal for the game. He has booted 3.7 goals per game this season, more than double his previous best average of 1.6.

05:07

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Matthew Owies)

05:17

Carlton has booted five goals from its last 10 inside 50s (50%). It has kicked a goal from 20.8% of its forward 50 entries this season - the fourth-lowest percentage in the AFL.

07:13

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

08:48

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Lachie Fogarty)

10:59

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Harrison Jones)

11:09

Harrison Jones has now grabbed five contested marks - the most by any Bomber this season.

12:41

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti)

12:51

The Dons lead the clearance count 9-0 this quarter, with all three of their goals coming from this source.

15:24

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Archie Perkins)

18:05

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Matthew Owies)

18:15

Matthew Owies has recorded three kicks, with all resulting in a goal for his team.

22:20

Bombers Interchange - Nik Cox off due to an injury.

22:30

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Eddie Betts)

22:40

Carlton has won just three clearances in the third term, with Sam Walsh winning all three. His third clearance launched that goal to Eddie Betts.

24:23

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Harry McKay)

28:28

Zach Merrett has recorded just won disposal this quarter after winning 16 to half-time. He averages 22.4 disposals from nine career games gainst the Blues - his fewest against any AFL side.

30:30

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Harry McKay)

32:01

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

32:11

Cale Hooker has recorded a quarter-high four score involvements, including kicking two goals.

34:12

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)

34:19

The Blues won seven more intercepts in the third term (16-9) and scored 5.1 (31) to 1.0 (6) from this source.

Quarter 4

00:00

Q4 is now underway.

00:16

Marc Pittonet was won game-highs for hitouts-to-advantage (eight) and first possessions (seven) as well as winning five clearances.

01:04

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Rushed)

02:38

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Jake Stringer)

02:48

Another goal from a clearance to the Dons. Eight of their goals are from this source - a season-high for the club.

04:29

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Rushed)

07:30

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Jack Newnes)

08:22

Nine Bombers have applied at least one tackle this quarter. They lead the tackle count 11-4 in this period.

10:04

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Lachie Fogarty)

12:05

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Harry McKay)

12:15

The Blues have now booted 12 goals from intercepts - a season-high for the club.

13:32

Jayden Laverde has grabbed five intercept marks in consecutive games.

17:13

Darcy Parish is up to 10 disposals this quarter - four more than any other player, as well as winning two clearances. Since moving into the midfield in Round 3, he has won 38 clearances - the third-most in the competition.

17:21

Blues Interchange - Adam Saad off due to an injury.

18:39

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Harry McKay)

19:54

SCORE GOAL - Blues (Patrick Cripps)

20:04

Carlton has scored 116 points - its highest score since Round 4, 2015.

20:27

Blues Interchange - Sam Docherty off due to the blood rule.

21:47

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Jake Stringer)

22:46

Carlton's 116 points is its highest score since Round 4, 2015.

24:46

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

27:50

Blues Interchange - Mitch McGovern off due to an injury.

28:29

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Jake Stringer)

29:55

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

31:48

Carlton wins the highest-scoring game for 2021. Its 28 scoring shots included 19 goals for a shot at goal accuracy of 67.9%. It recorded a shot at goal accuracy of 41.9% in the opening six rounds - the fourth-lowest percentage of any side.

33:21

SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Harry McKay)

33:25

The siren has sounded to end Q4.