Essendon’s top-up players have surprised in their first NAB Challenge outing, with the Bombers thrashing a below strength Carlton by 60 points at Ikon Park on Sunday afternoon.
New Bombers Ryan Crowley and Sam Michael were unveiled at the Blues' traditional suburban home and both looked at home alongside fellow top-up Jonathan Simpkin and Sam Grimley as the Dons notched a 1.13.8 (95) to 1.3.8 (35) win.
Michael was particularly influential in the second quarter, finishing with a game-high 15 hit-outs and imposing himself by winning the ball at ground level throwing his body around at stoppages.
Crowley, who was booed by the crowd early, started well and appears set to be a half-forward under new coach John Worsfold, rather than the tagger he made his 188-career game as at Fremantle.
Fellow top-up Simpkin (17 possessions) was lively in the midfield, while Grimley finished with 1.3, missing simple set shots in front of goal.
While Essendon surprised, it was a scrappy pre-season clash nonetheless littered with skill errors from two sides expected to battle it out at the foot of the ladder.
The Blues made certain of the result with their selection and in-game rotations, leaving their first choice midfield out and pitting 21 players against 26 in the first half.
The Bombers took advantage in the second quarter, kicking seven unanswered goals to take a 46-point lead into the main break.
Set against the backdrop of the former Princes Park – which more than 18,000 fans flocked to on Sunday to relive suburban football – the match was all about the new for both clubs.
The most obvious positive for the Blues was the assured performance of their prized No.1 draft pick, Jacob Weitering.
Weitering, who didn't feature in the Blues' opening pre-season game, played on the last line of defence and held his own in contests while winning his own ball to finish with 19 possessions and nine marks.
He was among his team's best, with Nick Graham (24 possessions) and Zach Tuohy (18) also working hard.
Another newcomer, female umpire Eleni Glouftsis, nailed her first centre bounce and went on to do a fine job.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Carlton: The Blues do not have the depth to handle injuries and put in competitive performances this season. With their best midfield players – Patrick Cripps, Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy and Matthew Kreuzer – sidelined, the Blues were thrashed and didn't look to have the same energy as their opponents. It was a pre-season game, but a result coach Brendon Bolton needs to explain.
Essendon: The Bombers, on the other hand, have the new mature faces to potentially make them competitive, seemingly against all odds. They are still to unveil James Kelly, Mathew Stokes, James Polkinghorne, Mark Jamar, Matt Dea and Nathan Grima.
NEW FACES
Carlton: Jacob Weitering proved he will be a leader in his first season, directing teammates and peeling off to help when needed. Fellow draftees Harry McKay and Jack Silvagni paired forward in the second half, with McKay taking a strong mark and converting in the third quarter and laying a fierce tackle. Silvagni got the crowd excited with some late touches. Clem Smith showed a lot of dash in tight in the forward line, Daniel Gorringe shared the ruck but didn't stand out.
Essendon: Midfielder Darcy Parish is the new Bomber that fans are most invested in and they would have been happy with what they saw. The midfielder won enough of the ball to show he can play at this level in 2016 and he generally hit his targets. Former Swan Craig Bird (14 possessions) and rookie Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (10 possessions) were serviceable in a big win.
NEXT UP
The Bombers host Geelong on March 5 at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton in their second NAB Challenge match, while the Blues will go on to meet the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on March 11 in their final pre-season hit-out.
CARLTON 0.1.1 0.1.2 1.3.4 1.3.8 (35)
ESSENDON 0.1.3 1.7.3 1.10.5 1.13.8 (95)
SUPERGOALS
Carlton: E Curnow
Essendon: Z Merrett
GOALS
Carlton: McKay, Smith, Gallucci
Essendon: Daniher 3, Goddard 3, Grimley, Hams, Long, McKernan, Dempsey, Crowley, Merrett
BEST
Carlton: Graham, Tuohy, Weitering
Essendon: Goddard, Zaharakis, Edwards, Z Merrett, Gleeson, Bird
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: O'Gorman, Schmitt, Jeferry, Glouftsis
Official crowd: 18,718 at Ikon Park
