Carlton vs. Essendon
Sunday April 9
3:20pm (AEST)
MCG
The next chapter in the storied rivalry between Essendon and Carlton will take place at the MCG today.
The Bombers will be looking for their third win of the season while the Blues are looking to open their account.
Heath Hocking, Matthew Leuenberger and Mitch Brown return for the Dons.
Check out Robert Shaw's match preview here.
Weather:
Rain increasing, becoming windy with a top of 19.
Recent meetings:
R23, 2016, Essendon 15.13 (103) d Carlton 10.19 (79) at the MCG
R6, 2016, Carlton 10.12 (72) d Essendon 8.9 (57) at the MCG
R3, 2015, Essendon 16.9 (105) d Carlton 11.18 (84) at the MCG
R23, 2014, Carlton 14.6 (90) drew with Essendon 13.12 (90) at the MCG
R3, 2014, Essendon 21.12 (138) d Carlton 8.9 (57) at the MCG
Teams
Essendon
In: Matthew Leuenberger, Heath Hocking, Mitch Brown
Out: Ben Howlett (hamstring), Michael Hartley, Shaun McKernan
Milestone: David Zaharakis 150 games
B: Baguley, Hurley, Stanton
HB: Goddard, Ambrose, Kelly
C: Colyer, Heppell, Fantasia
HF: Brown, Hooker, Zaharakis
F: Z.Merrett, Daniher, McDonald-Tipungwuti
R: Leuenberger, Watson, Hocking
I: McGrath, Parish, Gleeson, Langford
E: Stewart, McKernan, Dea
Carlton:
B: Sam Docherty, Caleb Marchbank, Simon White
HB: Kade Simpson, Sam Rowe, Lachie Plowman
C: Sam Kerridge, Patrick Cripps, Ed Curnow
HF: Dale Thomas, Jacob Weitering, Jack Silvagni
F: Matthew Wright, Levi Casboult, Sam Petrevski-Seton
R: Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy
I: Charlie Curnow, Harrison Macreadie, Jarrod Pickett, Tom Williamson
E: Billie Smedts, Harry McKay, Rhys Palmer
Scott Lucas' key factors
Control the midfield:
"Last week they (Essendon) had some issues so it's great to see Leuenberger back and also Hocking will give them flexibility through the middle of the ground. Control the midfield because it's a key area of strength for Carlton."
Respect Docherty and Simpson:
"The small forwards have been doing a great job but they really need to respect Docherty and Simpson at half back who give a lot of drive to Carlton, through the middle of the ground and create a lot of their scoring opportunities."
Consistency:
"The Bombers need a consistent effort across four quarters. We've seen in games so far this year that there'll be a quarter where they get dominated ... if they can even that up across the four quarters it will go a long way to deciding the game."
Use the corridor:
"Carlton will set up the ground really well. There is a lot of Hawthorn about them, considering Brendon Bolton worked there. The Bombers have to work hard and continue to use the corridor, it has been a real feature of their game despite the odd turnover through there - it has opened up their scoring a lot."
Stretch Carlton's defence:
"With Carlton potentially having a late change with their backline, I think there is a real opportunity with not a lot of height in thier backline to really expose the Carlton backs with Hooker, Daniher, maybe run Leuenberger forward at times."
Key match-ups
Watson/Heppell/Zach Merrett v Gibbs/Murphy/Cripps: The prime movers for each team will be the most important factors in the game. If the rain does come, winning the clearances will be crucial. If the Dons midfielders can give their forwards one on one opportunities it will go a long way to deciding the game.
Baguley v Wright: Mark Baguley often takes the most dangerous small forward and Matthew Wright could be that man this week. The former Crow has booted six goals this season.
Dons small forwards v Blues rebounders: Essendon will be hoping the goal scoring and frontal pressure provided by Fantasia, McDonald-Tipungwuti and Colyer will outweigh the rebound of Docherty and Simpson.
