It’s Us v Essendon in a Saturday afternoon blockbuster at the MCG. Bring the family, make some noise, and help the Blues send the Bombers crashing back to earth!
Round 3
Carlton v Essendon
Saturday 18 April
MCG, 1.45pm
Head-to-head:
Played: 241
Carlton: 121
Essendon: 114
Draws: 6
VIDEO: Relive the Blues' classic win over Essendon in Round 3, 2007
Last time the sides met:
Round 23, 2014
Carlton 14.6 (90) drew with Essendon 13.12 (90)
Milestone:
The next goal Bryce Gibbs kicks will mark his 100th AFL goal!
Debutant:
Irishman Ciaran “Casey” Byrne will make his debut in the Navy Blue at the MCG on Saturday.
The 20-year-old from County Louth signed with Carlton as an International Rookie Category B at the end of the 2013 season. He spent last year learning the game in the VFL where he ran out for 14 matches, initially playing as a forward before moving to the backline.
Byrne’s standout pre-season saw him upgraded from the rookie list ahead of Round 2, in place of Cameron Giles, who has been placed on the Blues’ long-term injury list. He will wear the No. 38 jumper for Carlton.
Carlton Ring of Honour Inductee – Fraser Brown:
Carlton premiership player Fraser Brown will deliver the match ball to umpires before being inducted to the Carlton Ring of Honour on Saturday.
Brown played 177 games for Carlton including in the 1995 premiership side. Perhaps his most famous heroic feat was a game-saving tackle on Essendon’s Dean Wallis that saw the Blues win the 1999 prelim.
Forecast for Melbourne on Saturday:
A shower or two developing a top of 21 degrees.
What’s on:
11.45am - Carlton Central outside Gate 3: membership and merchandise stands open
12.20pm - Carlton Central outside Gate 3: selected Carlton players to visit Acquire Learning stand
1.00pm - Carlton Central outside Gate 3: Cheer squad rally
1.15pm - On-field: Captain Carlton & his hovercraft Blue Betty take to the MCG
1.30pm - On-field: Help us welcome Carlton great Fraser Brown who will deliver the match ball to umpires before being inducted to the Carlton Ring of Honour
1.45pm - Game!
5.00pm - Melbourne Park Function Centre: Doors open Carlton Post-Match Social Club event.
The Carlton Social Club is back!
If you’re a Blues member, head to Carlton’s Post-Match Social Club event at the Melbourne Park Function Centre after the final siren. As a member, your entry is FREE upon presentation of your Carlton membership card*, while entry is $10 for non-members. Join fellow Bluebaggers Andy Lee and Sam Pang along with the entire playing list and coaches for an afternoon of music, games and prizes.
*subject to capacity
Carlton Central
Carlton Central is our new Navy Blue zone at the MCG. Head to the concourse between Gates 3 and 4 where you will find a host of pre-match activities including the Hyundai Engine Room.
Matchday Partner: Acquire Learning
Carlton is proud to have Acquire Learning as today's match-day partner. Acquire Learning helps you reinvent yourself by connecting you to courses from Australia's leading education providers. Call 1800 426 732 to make a change today.
Membership
Have you taken out Carlton membership for 2015? Help the Blues reach 50,000 members this year. Call 1300 CARLTON or visit membership.carltonfc.com.au
Merchandise
Want to wear what the team wears? The Carlton Shop is your one-stop-shop for all the latest Nike Carlton merchandise including track jackets, rain jackets, hoodies and polos. Head to the Carlton Shop outside Gate 3 at the MCG from 11.45am onwards.
Ticketing:
Tickets are still available for Carlton faithful to sit at the Heatley End.
The Heatley End – a homage to the famous Robert Heatley Stand in the Princes Park days – made its return in the Blues' season opener against Richmond. Positioned next to the Carlton Cheer Squad at the Punt Road end, it is open to members and Carlton supporters.
Members: Enter your 12-digit membership barcode number via Ticketek (click here) and select ‘Heatley End’.
Non-members: Enter the word HEATLEY when purchasing your ticket through Ticketek.
Car park opening:
Gate 3: 7.30am
Gate 5: 9.00am
Gate 6: 10.00am
Gate 7: 9.00am (pass holders only)
Gate opening:
Public/AFL members: 12.00pm
MCC members: 11.30am
General admission areas*:
Great Southern Stand:
Q1-Q3,
Q4-Q15 (Rows P-DD)
Ponsford Stand
: M29-M36,
Q29-Q36
Olympic Stand
: Q52 (Rows S-MM),
Q53-Q57 (Rows K-MM)
*subject to change
Cheersquad allocation:
Carlton - Bay M3 (Rows A-V)
Public transport:
You can take a train, tram or bus to the MCG.
Trams No.75 (City-Vermont South), No.48 (City-North Balwyn) and No.70 (City-Wattle Park) stop within walking distance of the ground.
The Jolimont and Richmond train stations are within walking distance of the MCG. To get to Jolimont station take Hurstbridge or Epping line trains. To get to Richmond station from the city, take any train on the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston or Sandringham lines.
The Bus route 246 is run by National Bus Company, which links La Trobe University with Elsternwick Station. The 246 stops on Punt Road.
For more information visit the PTV website: http://ptv.vic.gov.au
Broadcast
Metro TV Melbourne: Channel 7 (90 minute delay), Fox Footy (LIVE)
Metro TV Adelaide and Sydney: Fox Footy (LIVE)
Metro TV Perth: Fox Footy (LIVE), Channel 7 (2 hour delay)
Metro TV Brisbane: Fox Footy (LIVE), 7mate (LIVE)
Melbourne Radio: 3AW, Triple M, 774 ABC, Grandstand Digital
Regional Radio: Croc Media, K Rock
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