Here is a look at some of the Bombers most memorable wins against Carlton from the last 30 years.
1983 Elimination Final
Kevin Sheedy’s Bombers were on the verge of something special, but the reigning premiers stood in their way.
The Blues boasted several big names but Essendon’s emerging group were about to establish themselves as genuine stars of the competition.
On the back of 30 possessions from Tim Watson and four goals to Terry Daniher, the Dons beat the Blues by 33 points. They couldn’t get past the Hawks in the decider, but went on to win the next two premierships.
1993 Grand Final
Not many footy fans had heard of Dustin Fletcher, Mark Mercuri, Joe Misiti, Paul Hills, David Calthorpe, James Hird, Gavin Wanganeen and Ricky Olarenshaw before the season began, but six months later they were premiership players.
They earned their medals with a 44 point win over the Blues in the Grand Final.
Michael Long won the Norm Smith Medal, and his runs down the wing became famous.
He and Gary O’Donnell collected 33 possessions and Paul Salmon kicked five goals.
1998 Round 18
With nine minutes reminaing, Essendon trailed the Blues by 25 points. A goal to Matthew Lloyd gave the side a glimmer of hope.
When a 20 year old Jason Johnson – in just his sixth game – burst through the middle of the ground to kick another shortly after, the Bombers were a sneaky chance.
Ryan O’Connor then brought the margin back to seven points with five minutes to go, before Lloyd snapped his sixth of the day (on his right foot) with two and a half minutes remaining.
Scores were level with 58 seconds remaining when Gary Moorcroft forced a Carlton turnover and handballed to a running Mark Mercuri. The silky forward fired from 45 but Stephen Silvagni marked on the goal line. His clearing kick clean bowled Dean Rice and fell to Scott Lucas who kicked the match winner.
2000 Round 20
Essendon had won 19 games straight when it came up against fellow title fancy Carlton.
It was a tight contest all night but the Bombers kicked away in the last.
Mark Mercuri and Justin Blumfield each kicked three goals.
2000 Preliminary Final
Nothing was going to stop the Bombers charge to their 16th premiership, not even the old rival.
The Dons dismounted their opponent with a six goals to one third term to shoot to a 54 point lead at three quarter time.
The final margin was 45 points. Matthew Lloyd kicked four and Joe Misiti controlled the midfield with 31 possessions.
A week later the Bombers won the Grand Final against Melbourne.
2013 Round 11
Essendon produced a number of memorable wins in 2013 and two of them came against the Blues.
The Bombers trailed by 31 points midway through the third term before the comeback swung into gear.
Jake Carlisle was moved into attack and by three quarter time, the margin was down to 14 points. Ben Howlett converted after taking a hanger early in the last, before Carlisle got the margin down to seven points.
David Myers leveled the scores halfway through the last. The next ten minutes proved an arm wrestle.
With two minutes to go Jason Winderlich cut off a Carlton clearance and squared to ball to Jake Melksham who converted a set shot from 45 metres out.
A pack mark to Carlisle with 30 seconds remaining sealed a famous win.
David Zaharakis runs in to kick the match winner against the Blues in round 22, 2013.
2013 Round 22
With 45 seconds remaining, scores were level. Michael Hibberd courageously backed into a pack and won a free kick. The Dons played on immediately and kicked deep into attack.
Nick Kommer and Jackson Merrett put the Blues defence under enormous pressure. Merrett gathered and dished off to David Zaharakis who ran into the open goal to kick the match winner.
