Essendon won 13.17 (95) to 10.15 (75).
The victory ensured Blues coach Brett Ratten would have to wait for another match before chalking up his first win as a coach over the Bombers.
It was a forgettable night for Carlton.
Andrew Carrazzo led its possession winners with 26 and Marc Murphy had 23, but he and Bryce Gibbs (20) didn't have their usual influence.
Essendon was only able to shrug the Blues off in the final term, with the match not sealed until the final minutes.
It was close throughout, although the Bombers had a chance to put Carlton away in the second quarter.
They dominated the inside-50 count during that period but simply weren't able to convert their opportunities, managing 3.8 to the Blues' 2.1.
The Bombers held a 10-point break at the main change but should have been four goals up.
Brett Ratten's team, to its credit, hung tough and managed to stay in touch before it blew some chances of its own in the third term when it kicked 1.6 to 2.2.
Essendon led by 12 points at the final change but, with former Hawk Mark Williams finding his range, kicked clear to a 28-point lead.
The Blues booted a couple late to get within striking distance, but lacked a genuine threat up forward all night.
Carlton 4.5 6.6 7.12 10.15 (75)
Essendon 4.2 7.10 9.12 13.17 (95)
GOALS
Carlton: Betts 2, O'hAilpin 2, Simpson 2, Houlihan, Robinson, Waite, Yarran
Essendon: Williams 4, Reimers 3, Gumbleton, Hocking, Lonergan, Lovett-Murray, Ryder, Zaharakis
BEST
Carlton: Simpson, Scotland, Betts, Jamison
Essendon: Fletcher, Pears, Lovett-Murray, Dyson, Watson, Dempsey, Williams
INJURIES
Carlton: TBC
Essendon: TBC
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 71,006 at the MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
