Match

Carlton vs Essendon

Commentary / 08 Jun 2025

Pre Game

00:00
The Blues have been involved in the most forward half stoppages of any side, scoring 20.4 points per game from that source, ranked third.

Quarter 1

00:00
Q1 is now underway.
01:25
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Adam Saad)
05:49
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Tom De Koning)
06:37
Essendon has been more efficient with ball use so far, boasting a kicking efficiency of 78% compared to Carlton's 73%. Essendon are also proving more effective inside the forward half, operating at 100% efficiency, ahead of Carlton’s 71% in that area.
07:28
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
08:35
Carlton's ball movement out of the defensive midfield has been impressive to start the match, with 60% of their chains from that zone resulting in an inside 50. In comparison, Essendon are yet to register an inside 50.
09:53
Carlton is applying greater pressure than Essendon, with a pressure rating of 200 to 175 in that area.
10:57
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Sam Walsh)
11:21
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Zac Williams)
14:28
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Mitch McGovern)
14:38
Carlton has moved the ball far quicker than Essendon through the corridor, playing on 29% of the time from seven marks. In contrast, the Bombers are yet to take a mark in this area.
19:01
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
21:28
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Luamon Lual)
23:28
Carlton has enjoyed a well-balanced spread of scores this evening, They’ve kicked 3.2 (20) from their defensive midfield – their most productive area.
24:56
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
27:27
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Zac Williams)
30:48
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Angus Clarke)
33:54
Tom De Koning’s form has been a real positive for Carlton this season. He notched up a game-high seven score involvements to complement his six disposals, four contested possessions and four hitouts to advantage — highlighting his dominance in the ruck against Todd Goldstein.

Quarter 2

00:00
Q2 is now underway.
06:44
Charlie Curnow is shaping up as a real threat in attack for the Blues this evening. He picked up four disposals at an impressive 75% efficiency, contributed three score involvements and racked up 123 metres gained — underlining his influence in the forward line for Carlton.
06:53
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Matt Guelfi)
08:50
After managing a pressure factor of just 171 in the first term, Essendon’s pressure has jumped significantly to start the second term, up to 226. Tackling throughout the match is slightly in the Bombers’ favour, 28-26, with George Hewett leading the way in the match from both sides with five tackles.
10:45
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Orazio Fantasia)
11:10
Carlton has outscored the Bombers on turnovers 3.3 (21) to 1.2 (8). Carlton ranks 13th in the competition for scoring from turnovers, averaging 42.8 points per game; the league average is 46.3.
12:46
The Blues' attack from defensive midfield game has been on full display this evening - having scored 4.2 (26) from that source compared to Essendon, who are yet to register a score from this area.
15:21
Blues Interchange - Adam Cerra off due to an injury.
15:32
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Jye Caldwell)
17:29
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Archie Perkins)
23:44
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Jesse Motlop)
24:48
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Patrick Cripps)
28:20
The first possession battle has been close, with Carlton edging the Bombers 26-20, but the clearances are not in its favour, 19-22. The Blues have scored 4.2 (26) at stoppages, while Essendon has scored 2.0 (12).
30:18
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Tom De Koning)
32:39
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Peter Wright)
32:44
Jye Caldwell has made a strong start to the match, racking up 14 disposals at almost 70 per cent efficiency. He’s also registered seven contested possessions, seven handball receives and gained 408 metres — a well-rounded and impactful opening half.

Quarter 3

00:00
Q3 is now underway.
00:29
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Matt Guelfi)
05:47
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Rushed)
07:31
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Peter Wright)
09:07
Nate Caddy has been the forward 50 target on seven occasions in the match so far without much luck, only taking one mark inside the forward half he has been kicked to. He has failed to impact the scoreboard so far in the match.
11:27
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Peter Wright)
13:53
Nic Haynes is showcasing his trademark rebound at its finest tonight. With three rebound 50s and a remarkable 493 metres gained from just 13 disposals, he’s proving to be a real asset off half-back. Adding to his impact, Haynes is going at over 75% kicking efficiency, making every touch count. It’s a classic display of line-breaking footy from the seasoned campaigner.
15:30
The Bombers' forward half pressure has been on show tonight, clearly getting the better of the contest in that area. They've won 21 forward half intercepts compared to the Blues' 12, but haven't made the most of their chances, with both sides having scored 3.3 (21).
18:09
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
18:41
Essendon’s forward-half pressure has been immense this evening — they’re dominating the tackle count 29-19, building on the strong pressure they applied in the first quarter when they won this area 13-9. Ben Hobbs is leading the way with five tackles.
23:34
In the last 20 minutes, Essendon has scored 3.1 (19) to Carlton 0.1 (1), including the last four goals.
25:23
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Jesse Motlop)
26:58
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Jade Gresham)
30:50
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Mitch McGovern)
31:37
Carlton's defensive midfield-ball movement has been excellent this evening, with 45% of its chains resulting in an inside 50 compared to just 32% for Essendon.

Quarter 4

00:00
Q4 is now underway.
01:22
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Blake Acres)
04:27
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Hudson O'Keeffe)
08:25
Defenders Jacob Weitering and Jaxon Prior are the only players on the field who have both played 100% of the match so far.
10:00
Carlton has generated over a third of their score from the defensive midfield this evening, kicking 4.4 (28) from that zone. In contrast, Essendon’s most productive area has been the attacking midfield, where they’ve managed 2.2 (14).
11:15
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Zac Williams)
13:28
Carlton has had the better of the ruck battle - winning the hitouts 35-27, also leading the hitouts-to-advantage 13-7, first possessions 46-36, but Essendon are leading clearances 37-35.
15:05
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Jade Gresham)
17:27
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Jesse Motlop)
18:22
It has been an intriguing contest in the ruck this evening between Tom De Koning and Todd Goldstein, with clearance count even at 27-25 in Carlton's favour, when they have been rucking opponents. De Koning has had six more hitouts-to-advantage from their 69 ruck contests.
18:52
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Nic Martin)
21:19
Essendon have a 100% record from inside 40 metres from both set shots and general play in the match, kicking nine straight goals.
22:53
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Xavier Duursma)
25:10
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
26:33
Blues Interchange - Adam Cerra off due to an injury.
28:01
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Blake Acres)
29:37
Sam Walsh had a major influence on this evening's match, finishing with a team-high 32 disposals. He also recorded 14 contested possessions, seven clearances, 10 handball receives, seven score involvements, four inside 50s, 370 metres gained, and 10 ground ball gets – a well-rounded and impactful performance.