A DRAMA-FILLED season has ended on a high note for Carlton with a 34-point win over Essendon in an error-laden spectacle at the MCG.
The Blues ran out 13.12 (90) to 8.8 (56) winners on a chilly Thursday night to consign the Bombers to a 12th consecutive loss - their worst streak since 2016.
Both sides exhibited moments of brilliance, punctuated by skill errors or poor decision making.
With every blow Essendon landed, Carlton reciprocated, and the difference early was the Blues' centre clearance work.
They created penetrating forward entries from the reset and isolated players in attack. It was simply too easy at times for the likes of George Hewett (36 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal), Sam Walsh (28 disposals, five inside 50s), and Patrick Cripps (28 disposals, five tackles) to link their way out of the middle at speed, suddenly finding themselves in plenty of space.
Carlton was particularly proactive in its defensive efforts in the front half, keen to trap the ball in its attacking zone and put Essendon under plenty of pressure. This was evident in the 15-9 tackle count inside 50.
It helped the Blues to an impressive spread of nine goalkickers, with the load being shared in lieu of Harry McKay's inaccurate 1.4 for the night.
Peter Wright was a rare Bomber who nailed his forward entries. Able to understand exactly what teammates close to goal needed, and also with the skill to execute the kicks, they got dangerous when Wright was sending the ball inside 50.
And in game 250, Essendon captain Zach Merrett worked exceptionally hard to generate something – anything – donning a black glove to protect his right hand, which was surgically repaired last week. There was clear desperation from his teammates late in the game to get Merrett an opportunity at goal, but Carlton defender Jacob Weitering wasn't having it.
Two quick goals to Essendon to start the third quarter, and the first three of the fourth, added a much-needed spark to the game, but it wasn't without the continued comedy of errors from both teams.
Matt Guelfi was the Bombers' most dangerous forward, able to find separation to slot three goals on an otherwise relatively impotent night up forward for the side.
Francis Evans' (18 disposals, three goals) impressive month of footy for the Blues continued, offering a neat link across the half-forward line and applying plenty of pressure, while mid-season recruit Flynn Young had some nice moments to finish with two goals from his 19 disposals.
The Bombers will finish their season next Wednesday against Gold Coast.
ESSENDON 1.4 2.6 5.6 8.8 (56)
CARLTON 3.4 7.6 11.8 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Essendon: Guelfi 3, Kako 2, Wright 2, Langford
Carlton: Evans 3, Moir 2, F.Young 2, Motlop, White, Hewett, McKay, O'Keeffe, Williams
BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Redman, Roberts, Shiel, Kako
Carlton: Hewett, Walsh, Weitering, Cripps, Evans
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Carlton: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Zak Johnson (replaced Liam McMahon at three-quarter time)
Carlton: Lucas Camporeale (replaced Sam Walsh at three-quarter time)
LATE CHANGE
Essendon: Jayden Laverde and Sam Durham replaced in selected side by Zak Johnson and Saad El-Hawli
Carlton: Nil
Crowd: 41,150 at the MCG
