Easter 2001 will be the first time since 1967 that Essendon fans will not watch the Bombers on Easter Saturday, Sunday or Monday. In 1967 the season commenced on April 15 - well after the Easter break.Since 1981, under Kevin Sheedy, Essendon has played Carlton 43 times for 27 wins, 15 losses and 1 tie. The most matches against any club in that time.Many players have debuted against Carlton. Mark Mercuri and Stephen Alessio in the Princes Park game in 1992, Dustin Fletcher in the tie in 1993 and Mark McVeigh alongside Mark Johnson in Round 1 1999.