Essendon and Carlton will go head-to-head for the 243rd time when they meet this Sunday at the MCG.

Both sides find themselves in unwanted territory at the bottom of the AFL ladder.

However, despite the position on the ladder, the two traditional rivals always come to the table to offer a great show.

There will be plenty at stake and it promises to be an important clash for the clubs and fans alike, with bragging rights on the table.

Carlton will head into the game with some momentum after managing to knock off Fremantle by four points, to register their first win of the season last week. 

The Bombers, on the other hand, are out to prove they are a better team than what they demonstrated last week and would be hoping to put together a full four quarters of exciting, fast paced, tough footy.

Is it all about the score?

Both sides have struggled to hit the scoreboard so far this season, averaging two of the lowest scores in the AFL. Despite only kicking two goals in the first half of last week’s game, Essendon showed it does have the potential to pile on the goals if they are able to get their run and carry right. It’s a big week for Joe Daniher and Sam Grimley. An ability for these two to work with each other, break the coverage from Carlton’s defence, find open space and convert on the scoreboard could be the ultimate difference. 

Slow and steady wins the race, doesn’t it?

The Bombers currently rank number four in the AFL for disposals per game, coming in behind the Western Bulldogs, GWS and St.Kilda. However, on the flip side, they currently rank last for average goals per game while the Bulldogs and GWS both feature in the top ten. The problem, as Robert Shaw sees it, is not the ability to get the ball. Rather, it is the movement. If the Bombers are able to move the ball quickly and more accurately into the forward 50, they can cause big problems for Carlton’s defence. The Bombers have the arsenal to get this done right from the backline with the run and carry of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Orazio Fantasia and even Mark Baguley proven avenues of rebounding the 50m with speed and accuracy. However, it is going to take some work from our forwards to keep the pressure on Carlton’s defenders and not allow them to get their structures established. 

How creative can you be?  

Collingwood proved last week an ability to shut down two of the Bombers’ most poignant midfielders so far this season, with Zach Merrett and David Zaharakis unable to have a major impact on the game. The inclusion of James Polkinghorne may be one way to remedy this, with the ex-Lion averaging 18-disposals so far this year with Essendon VFL. His inclusion would free up at least one of our other midfielders, perhaps allowing them to shake the tag of Carlton’s Ed Curnow. This being said, Merrett and Zaharakis will also have to be creative in their roles, and perhaps push out to the wing to find the ball. Regardless, they are going to have to be able to find ways to break their respective tags - as they will continue to get attention throughout the year.