With James Kelly and Andrew McGrath out of the side, Brendon Goddard is playing across half back. 

Michael Hartley has the job on Levi Casboult, Patrick Ambrose is on Charlie Curnow and Mark Baguley is on Matthew Wright.

In the Bombers forward half Liam Jones is on Joe Daniher and Jacob Weitering is on Cale Hooker.

Essendon had seven of the first nine inside 50s culminating in a goal to Joe Daniher and an eight point lead after nine minutes. Just a minute later Daniher took two bounces and slotted his second.

At the 20 minute mark the Bombers led the disposals 79-48 and inside 50s 11-7. On the scoreboard the Dons led 5.2.32 to 1.1.7.

The Dons lost Orazio Fantasia with a hamstring injury in the middle of the first quarter.

At the first break the Bombers led 5.5.35 to 2.1.13. Goddard led the way with 11 disposals. Zach Merrett had nine possessions.

Essendon's willingness to run was evident.  At the start of the second quarter the Dons had recorded 56 handball receives to the Blues 27.

The first goal of the second quarter came at the 12 minute mark when Wright slotted the Blues third to cut the margin to 15 points.  When Wright added another five minutes later, it was back to seven points the difference.

The Blues rally was built on their control of the ball.  Carlton used short targets to slow down the tempo of the game and then applied significant forward pressure in the attacking 50.

After a scrappy start to the second term, the Blues controlled most of the quarter.  Despite the Blues holding the edge, their return was two goals to Essendon's nil.  The Bombers had some opportunities inside 50 late in the quarter but were unable to convert.

David Zaharakis (18 disposals) and Merrett (17) are the leading ball winners, while Daniher has booted two goals.