Essendon will return to Carlton’s heartland on Thursday in a throwback to the great clashes of the past to kick off the JLT Community Series.
While the Bombers haven’t played a home and away match at Ikon Park since 1998, you don’t have to look too far back to find the last time the club took on the Blues at their traditional home.
February 28, 2016 – this very day just three years ago – was the last time the teams faced off at the venue, and it was an afternoon to remember for red and black fans.
After a tumultuous off-season, all eyes were on Essendon to get a guide on how its new-look side would measure up throughout the season.
A slow start yielded just a single goal for each team in the opening term, but the fired-up Bombers were keen to make a statement.
A second-quarter blitz saw the Dons pile on an unanswered six goals and one supergoal to quash the contest and shoot off to an unassailable lead, eventually finishing the game 60 points clear of their bitter rival.
A large contingent of passionate fans saw the Bombers take on the Blues at Ikon Park in 2016.
Experienced heads Brendon Goddard (21 disposals and three goals) and David Zaharakis (28 disposals and six inside 50s) led the way on the ball, while Joe Daniher gave fans a taste of what was to come with three goals of his own.
Emerging star Zach Merrett also impressed through the middle with 24 disposals and a supergoal, and fellow young gun Orazio Fantasia also showed his class with 19 disposals at 94.7 per cent efficiency.
It was a dominant performance from the Dons, who led disposals 374 to Carlton’s 234, clearances 35 to 23 and inside 50s 54 to 31.
It also proved to be a special day for the club, with several Bombers entering the field for the first time in red and black.
Draftees Darcy Parish, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Michael Hartley and Mitch Brown joined ex-Swan Craig Bird and top-up players Ryan Crowley, Sam Michael, Jonathan Simpkin and Sam Grimley for their Essendon debuts that afternoon.
Thirteen of those who played for the Bombers on that occasion remain on Essendon’s list today and only two of those will be unable to take part in Thursday’s rematch with the Blues.
The club is taking a conservative approach with Fantasia after the dazzling forward suffered a corked quad on Monday, while Marty Gleeson will be the other omission as he continues to recover from a serious ankle injury suffered this time last year.
Only time will tell whether the Bombers can recapture the form from that memorable pre-season encounter three years ago, but one thing is certain; a bumper crowd will be there to witness every minute of what is sure to be an extremely competitive and exciting match.
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