It’s taken nearly an entire season but the first draw of 2014 has been recorded with Carlton and Essendon remaining locked on 90 points each after Saturday's clash at the MCG.
It was a result that ensured the Bombers secured seventh spot, and they will face North Melbourne in an elimination final at the MCG next week.
In a strange game where both sides led by more than four goals at stages, the Blues had a chance to steal the match from the finals-bound Bombers in the final minute.
Bryce Gibbs marked outside 50 with 53 seconds left after Irishman Zach Tuohy levelled the scores with a point shorty before.
Gibbs' kick fell short and the ball remained in the Blues' attacking 50 as the clock wound down with the scores dead level.
It was the sixth draw between the two teams and the third in the last 21 years.
Brock McLean had 30 disposals for the Blues and Chris Judd 28, with both players critical in the team's assembly of the 30-point lead they held at quarter time.
The recalled Matthew Watson relished a move into attack to kick four goals.
Before Saturday, Watson had played two senior games this year and booted two career goals.
There was no love lost between Sam Docherty and Paul Chapman. (Photo: Carlton Football Club)
For the Bombers, Dyson Heppell – wearing a glove on his injured left hand – worked his way into the game. He started at half back and looked as though he would avoid heavy-duty midfield work, but was needed on the ball in the second half and ended with 25 disposals.
Jobe Watson was also significant with 20 disposals and seven clearances.
The game certainly had its share of momentum shifts. Firstly the Bombers had to chase down a 30-point lead the Blues built in the first quarter, which came largely from a stunning midfield display by Judd and McLean.
Then the Blues were made to respond when the Bombers reacted to a quarter-time spray from coach Mark Thompson and built a lead that peaked at 27 points early in the third quarter.
Two goals from Troy Menzel and singles from Kane Lucas, Chris Yarran and McLean had the Blues within a point early in the fourth quarter.
Unlikely goal-kickers Cameron Wood and Watson chipped in with two – the second of which saw the Blues in front – before the Bombers pushed again and substitute Martin Gleeson restored a one-point lead with a goal with eight minutes left.
The Blues were playing for pride after their 103-point loss to Port Adelaide last Friday night and would have restored some of that with their courageous showing.
But the Bombers will be left to rue what could have been, given the importance of winning momentum when it comes to September.
As expected, the Blues were without captain Marc Murphy, who was a late withdrawal before the match after suffering concussion last week against Port Adelaide.
The Bombers lost David Myers before the bounce with illness.
The late inclusions were Patrick Cripps, who came on as substitute for the fourth quarter, and Orazio Fantasia for the Dons.
CARLTON 6.3 7.4 11.4 14.6 (90)
ESSENDON 1.3 9.6 11.11 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Carlton: Watson 4, Yarran 2, Menzel 2, Armfield, Bell, Waite, Lucas, McLean, Wood
Essendon: Daniher 2, Watson 2, Ryder 2, Ambrose, Merrett, Winderlich, Stanton, Chapman, Goddard, Gleeson
BEST
Carlton: Judd, Watson, McLean, Docherty, Gibbs, Yarran,
Essendon: Watson, Hibberd, Daniher, Ryder, Stanton, Heppell
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Essendon: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Patrick Cripps replaced Dennis Armfield in the fourth quarter
Essendon: Martin Gleeson replaced Orazio Fantasia at three-quarter time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Wenn, O'Gorman
Official crowd: 56,658 at the MCG
