Essendon recorded its second win for the season tonight against arch-rival Carlton. When the game was in the balance in the third quarter, Essendon took control and booted seven unanswered goals to set up the 37-point win. James Hird was pleased to put the off-field events of the week behind him and play a part in the win.

""We didn’t want to be three and one at the end of Round 4. We wanted two wins on the board and that is what we got,"" Hird said immediately after the match on Channel 9.

The skipper was quiet by his standards, but still had an influence on the game. He still kicked two brilliant goals and collected 15 possessions for the match, however was modest about his performance. ""(Trent) Sporn probably had the better of me tonight. We were just glad to get away with the win,"" Hird said.

It was good signs for the Bombers’ with a couple of the young players in the thick of the action. Nathan Lovett-Murray replaced Joel Reynolds in the selected side (flu) and justified his selection. The former rookie top scored with three goals and provided a spark up forward. Draftee Ricky Dyson was solid again in his second performance for the team. He also added to the goal tally, booting two important goals.

""Nathan Lovett-Murray kicked some great goals and Ricky Dyson took a couple of good marks. The side has a good future, which is great,"" Hird said.