Take a look at our comprehensive preview of Essendon's clash with Carlton on Saturday night.

ESSENDON v CARLTON

Saturday, June 27
7:40pm AEST
MCG
Live on Channel Seven 

THE HISTORY

Games played - 248
Won – 118
Lost – 124
Drawn – 6

THREE QUICK FACTS

1. 24th annual Madden Cup

Essendon and Carlton will contest the 24th annual Madden Cup, with the Bombers the current holders of the trophy named in honour of Madden brothers Simon and Justin. Simon won two premierships in a 378-game career at Essendon, while Justin played 45 games for the Bombers before adding another 287 and two premierships as a Blue.

2. 296 days since last defeat

While it's obviously a skewed statistic, the Bombers will enter Saturday night's clash having not lost a pre-season or premiership season game in 296 days. It's the second-longest streak behind league leader Port Adelaide, which is also undefeated across all competitions in 2020.

3. 81 not out for McDonald-Tipungwuti

Star forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will play his 81st consecutive game on Saturday night, joining 2000 premiership player Mark Johnson at equal seventh on Essendon's all-time consecutive games streak behind Don McKenzie (94), Elton Plummer (98), Allan Hird (102), Geoff Gosper (114), Frank Maher (118) and the late Jack Jones (133).

LAST TIME WE MET

While it was far from pretty in wet conditions at the MCG, the Bombers took care of their arch-rivals to the tune of 41 points in round 11 last season. The Bombers led at every break, extending their lead in each term to claim the 23rd annual Madden Cup. Dylan Clarke earned a Rising Star nomination for his shutdown role on Carlton star Patrick Cripps, while Dyson Heppell earned three Brownlow votes for his 36-disposal, one-goal performance. The match marked the end for then-Carlton coach Brendon Bolton after 77 games at the helm.

FORM 

Essendon
Round one: Defeated Fremantle 9.9 (63) to 8.9 (57) at Marvel Stadium
Round two: Defeated Sydney 12.7 (79) to 11.7 (73) at the SCG
Round three: Match against Melbourne postponed

After a weekend's rest, the Bombers will attack Saturday night's clash on the back of two wins that have been identical by margin and nature. They made fast starts to lead by 19 points (Fremantle) and 20 (Sydney) at quarter-time, before withstanding fightbacks to hang on in matches that have gone down to the wire.

While there have been ebbs and flows, senior coach John Worsfold has praised his side's ability to limit the damage when its opponents have had the momentum, resulting in the Bombers being the only side to have led at every minute so far this season.

Carlton
Round one: Lost to Richmond 12.9 (81) to 16.9 (105) at the MCG
Round two: Lost to Melbourne 7.11 (53) to 8.6 (54) at Marvel Stadium
Round three: Defeated Geelong 12.7 (79) to 11.11 (77) at GMHBA Stadium

The Blues recovered from slow starts in their losses to Richmond and Melbourne, held to a total of just two goals across the opening terms. They trailed by as much as 42 points against the Demons, falling by the narrowest of margins.

It was a totally different story in round three, however, as Carlton came bursting out of the blocks to lead Geelong by 25 points at quarter-time, hanging on in a thriller for its breakthrough win of 2020. It marked the Blues' first victory over the Cats at GMHBA Stadium since 1996, with Eddie Betts back to his dangerous best and forward Levi Casboult continuing his improvement with a game-high five contested marks.

TEAMS

ESSENDON

Backs: 10. Aaron Francis, 26. Cale Hooker, 18. Michael Hurley
Half-backs: 42. Adam Saad, 27. Mason Redman, 14. Jordan Ridley
Centre: 12. Tom Cutler, 7. Zach Merrett, 11. David Zaharakis
Half-forwards: 5. Devon Smith, 40. Will Snelling, 43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Forwards: 25. Jake Stringer, 44. Shaun McKernan, 20. Jacob Townsend
Followers: 2. Tom Bellchambers, 1. Andrew McGrath, 9. Dylan Shiel
Interchange: 8. Martin Gleeson, 3. Darcy Parish, 4. Kyle Langford, 13. Orazio Fantasia
Emergencies: 34. Andrew Phillips, 35. Matt Guelfi, 29. Patrick Ambrose, 33. Brayden Ham

In: Fantasia, Gleeson

Out: Heppell (ankle), Guelfi (omitted)

CARLTON

Backs: 6. Kade Simpson, 14. Liam Jones, 20. Lachie Plowman
Half-backs: 5. Sam Petrevski-Seton, 23. Jacob Weitering, 15. Sam Docherty
Centre: 3. Marc Murphy, 9. Patrick Cripps, 32. Jack Newnes
Half-forwards: 40. Michael Gibbons, 41. Levi Casboult, 21. Jack Martin
Forwards: 19. Eddie Betts, 11. Mitch McGovern, 28. David Cuningham
Followers: 27. Marc Pittonet, 18. Sam Walsh, 35. Ed Curnow
Interchange: 31. Tom Williamson, 1. Jack Silvagni, 43. Will Setterfield, 34. Sam Philp
Emergencies: 7. Matthew Kennedy, 36. Josh Honey, 12. Tom De Koning, 4. Lochie O'Brien

In: Philp

Out: McKay (ribs)

BOMBER TO WATCH 

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

Forward pressure has been a hallmark of Essendon's game this season, with the Bombers ranking third for average tackles inside 50 to the Blues' 18th.

While the return of small forward Orazio Fantasia will only help that cause, one man who has given the Blues' defenders headaches is Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who averages two goals a game in his past four matches against Carlton. The electrifying forward will look to put the heat on a Blues defence which has struggled to contain small forwards in the early rounds, with Jason Castagna, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jayden Hunt kicking three goals each against Carlton.

DANGEROUS OPPONENT

Jack Martin

New Blue Jack Martin has made an instant impact in his new colours, impressing with his decision-making, distribution and goalkicking nous. The silky skilled ex-Sun leads the Blues for marks inside 50, booting four goals in round one and spending more time in midfield against the Cats. His creativity and ability to break the lines and hit the scoreboard make him a dangerous proposition for the Bombers.

KEY TALKING POINTS

1. A week is a long time in footy

That old cliché has rarely rung truer.

It's been a week of uncertainty for the Bombers, who went into quarantine for three days following Conor McKenna's positive COVID-19 test on Saturday, not knowing whether this game would actually go ahead.

Only time will tell what impact the disruption has had on the players' physical and mental preparation, but Dylan Shiel wasn't concerned on Thursday, saying the Bombers had returned to the club on Wednesday in "good energy and spirits" and would be raring to go against the Blues.

If anything, a weekend off has allowed the side to freshen up, with a fit-again Orazio Fantasia one of the main beneficiaries.

2. Can the Bombers finally record consecutive wins against the Blues?

Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win - that's been the pattern for Essendon in its past seven clashes with Carlton since 2015.

While you never know what you'll get between these old rivals, the Bombers once again have the chance to record back-to-back victories over the Blues for the first time since round 22, 2013, when David Zaharakis kicked the match-winner with 30 seconds left. That classic victory also marks the last time the sides met on a Saturday night.

3. Filling the Heppell void

You can't help but feel for Dyson Heppell, who worked incredibly hard to make a triumphant return from foot surgery against the Swans, only to fracture his ankle during training the week after. 

The Bombers wouldn't be panicking though, having managed without their skipper in five games last season.

You could argue they're better placed to cover his loss this season, too, with Devon Smith returning, new arrival Tom Cutler adding outside run and young Andrew McGrath flourishing with more time in the middle.

As John Worsfold said on Thursday night, Heppell's absence will mean more midfield time for Darcy Parish and Kyle Langford, who have split their time between midfield and forward this season.

And if Parish's last-quarter heroics against the Swans are anything to go by, the 22-year-old is ready to step up to the plate.

Having spent the first three quarters as a forward on limited game-time, Parish was unleashed in the engine room in a match-defining fourth quarter, registering 13 disposals, four inside 50s, 252 metres gained and the match-winning goal.

He dominated in midfield against the Blues last year, too, collecting two Brownlow votes. Over to you, Darcy.

Essendon's unbeaten start to 2020 has come to an end in a one-point loss to Carlton at the MCG.

With the Bombers trailing by two points with less than a minute to spare in Saturday night's low-scoring encounter, Blues forward Eddie Betts gave a 50-metre penalty away as Bomber Adam Saad went to kick in from a behind.  

Saad was taken to the middle of the ground where he bombed forward to a pack of players, with teammate Jacob Townsend marking and kicking for goal – and the game – from 50 metres out with seconds to go. 

The former Tiger's shot, however, fell just short and was punched over the line and the siren sounded moments later, handing the Blues their 7.10 (52) to 8.3 (51) win over their arch-rivals. 

The Bombers, who were fresh after last week's postponed clash with Melbourne, appeared set to storm past the Blues in the second half after overturning an eight-point half-time deficit to lead by 12 points early in the final quarter. 

However, Carlton coach David Teague's men held firm and struck back, claiming a gritty win that leaves them 2-2 after four rounds.

Zach's Jack trouble?

Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett will come under match review scrutiny for a jab that left Carlton's Jack Silvagni out of the game. Merrett went to tackle Silvagni early in the first quarter but appeared to reach him with a fist to the ribs as the Carlton midfielder disposed of the ball. Silvagni spent the rest of the first term off the ground speaking with club medicos before he was ruled out of the contest in the second quarter and left the MCG to get scans at hospital. 

Slowing Saad stops the Bombers

It's not a stretch to say Adam Saad is Essendon's most important player, and the Blues certainly made an effort to ensure his dashing and damaging run off half-back was limited on Saturday night. Saad creates so much of the Bombers' drive with his exhilarating speed, but Carlton managed to drag him deep and restrict his offensive power. Saad was defensively very strong, with Betts having minimal impact, but it was no surprise that with Saad stopped from his blinding runs, the Bombers, too, struggled to get going.  

Carlton finds its firepower

Levi Casboult continued his brilliant 2020 with another three goals against the Bombers, again highlighting his vast improvement in the past 12 months in converting his opportunities. The strong-marking forward is also building a handy partnership with Mitch McGovern, who was a lively target in attack for the Blues with two goals. McGovern's creativity by foot was also evident as he set up his teammates for scoring opportunities as the pair made up for the absence of Harry McKay (ribs) who missed against the Bombers and Charlie Curnow (knee) who will be out all season. If they can all get fit at once it makes for an exciting front half for Teague.  

ESSENDON        2.1       4.1       6.2       8.3 (51)?
CARLTON           3.0       5.3       5.8      7.10 (52)??

GOALS?

Essendon: Parish 2, Stringer 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti, McKernan, Smith, Townsend

Carlton: Casboult 3, McGovern 2, Betts, Martin

BEST?

Essendon: McGrath, Merrett, Ridley, Smith, Francis

Carlton: Cuningham, Docherty, Casboult, Gibbons, Walsh 

INJURIES?

Essendon: Cutler (calf) replaced in selected side by Brayden Ham

Carlton: Silvagni (ribs)