The Bombers' 2011 season appears at the crossroads after a crushing 74-point loss to Carlton at the MCG on Saturday night. 

Despite a promising first half performance, Essendon failed to make any significant impact in the third quarter, with the Blues dominating possession and kicking eight straight unanswered goals.

Carlton had lost three of its past four games heading into the match but after a brilliant third quarter the Blues were able to boost their chances of a top-four placing, winning 24.9 (153) to 12.7 (79). 

Lively Blues forward Eddie Betts started well with the opening goal of the game and the small forward continued his good work throughout the quarter, finishing with three majors.

But Essendon would not be denied and late goals from Brent Prismall and Michael Hurley kept the Bombers in the contest, trailing by just seven points at the first change.

With consecutive goals to Bryce Gibbs and Dennis Armfield, Carlton started to dominate late in the second term but again the Blues could not shake its opponent.

Essendon's response was emphatic as well as dramatic when Travis Colyer kicked one of the goals of the season.

The scores were soon locked but when Betts slotted another to take his tally to four, the Blues were able to take a seven-point buffer into the long break.

In third term it was all Carlton in the early minutes and the Blues dominated possession, 18-8, and marks, 11-1. That domination was soon reflected on the scoreboard and within a blink of the eye Carlton opened up 45-point lead.

Goals to Chris Yarran, Chris Judd, Betts (his fifth), Andrew Walker and Marc Murphy gave the Blues an insurmountable advantage.

Essendon 4.2 8.3 8.4 12.7 (79)
Carlton 5.3 9.4 17.8 24.9 (153)

GOALS
Essendon:Hurley 3, Ryder 2, Crameri, Colyer, Jetta, Prismall, Reimers, Stanton, Zaharakis
Carlton:Betts 8, Walker 4, Armfield 3, Gibbs 2, Kreuzer 2, Murphy 2, Garlett, Judd, Yarran

BEST
Essendon:Hurley, Prismall, Crameri, Stanton, Colyer, Carlisle, Ryder
Carlton:Judd, Betts, Scotland, Murphy, Robinson, Armfield, Simpson, Gibbs, Walker

INJURIES
Essendon:Pears (knee)
Carlton:Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon:Tayte Pears (knee) replaced by Kyle Reimers in the third quarter
Carlton:Wayde Twomey replaced by David Ellard in the fourth quarter

Reports:Nil

Umpires:Rosebury, Nicholls, Findlay

Official crowd:74,123 at MCG