Carlton Media selects its top-five player stats from the Blues' eight-point loss to Essendon at the MCG on Saturday:
Marc Murphy
Game-high 17 contested possessions
The Blues' ability to play the game on their terms in the second and third quarters wouldn't have been possible without their dominance in the stoppages. Murphy led the way in this regard, collecting a game-high 17 contested possessions (his second highest tally for the season) among a team-high 32 disposals. Despite winning the inside footy, the Carlton captain didn't let his disposal efficiency drop, going at an impressive 78 per cent.
Liam Jones
Game-high 6 intercept marks
The ultra-competitive Jones marshalled the Blues' defensive 50 with aplomb, taking a game-high six intercept marks and 12 intercepts. Five of his intercept marks were contested, highlighting just how dominant he was in the air. Nothing came easily to leading goalkicker Joe Daniher, who had close attention from Jones.
Jed Lamb
Game-high 4 goal assists
Almost half of Lamb's possessions resulted in a goal. Despite having just 11 disposals, the clever forward produced one major and a game-high four goal assists. It was a game of quality over quantity for the former Giant.
Bryce Gibbs
Game-high 8 tackles
After a poor first term, the Blues dialled up the pressure to get themselves back in the contest. They had 10 more tackles than Essendon in total, with Bryce Gibbs laying a game-high eight.
Jacob Weitering
Game-high 11 one-percenters
Weitering produced one of his best games of 2017, collecting 20 disposals and seven marks. His competitiveness was a highlight, finishing first for one-percenters (11) - a stat normally dominated by teammate Jones.
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