The Northern Blues plummeted to their third straight loss, going down to Essendon by 69 points at Windy Hill on Sunday afternoon.
Signs were ominous for the Blues right from the start when Essendon youngster banged on two early goals, as the Bombers enjoyed a five-goal-to-none opening term.
Daniher would kick the first of the second term, before being blanketed for the rest of the match by Sam Rowe, who arguably squared the ledger despite the young Bombers’ eventual four-goal haul.
The Blues weren’t without chances in the first quarter with close behinds coming from Aaron Joseph, Tom Temay and Dylan Buckley from 14 inside 50s.
The visitors were made to pay for their misses with instant replies, with Essendon scoring 2.1 from point kick-ins.
Trailing by 27 points at the first change, the Blues got the start they were after registering their first goal through Northern’s Tom Wilson.
But two misses from relatively regulation shots from Jeremy Laidler again proved costly as the Bomber’s added the next three goals, before Buckley finished a classic running goal after receiving the hands from Temay on the cusp of half time.
While Essendon’s Corey Dell’Olio grabbed the first of the second half, the Blues sprung into life for the first, and reflectively only, time of the match when an intercept mark from Matthew Watson resulted in the Blues’ third goal.
Buckley then emulated his fullback’s good work in the next play, finding Mitchell just outside 50. The young forward demonstrated cool composure before finding a hard-working Troy Menzel (20 possessions, three goals) in the forward pocket, with the young South Australian finishing off the good work.
The Blues’ intensity collectively lifted led by Marcus Davies (19 disposals, 7 tackles), yet the air was let out of their tyres when the Bombers hit back with two goals inside a minute of play.
Only a goal from Menzel, his second, on the verge of three quarter time ensured that the Blues tied the quarter – reflectively their best quarter of the game.
It would resemble little of what followed in the final term as the Blues found themselves on the wrong end of a seven-goal-to-one last quarter.
For the Blues, Watson was arguably the standout for his side in keeping the Bombers’ spearhead Scott Gumbleton – fresh off a five-goal haul the previous weekend – to just one goal, meanwhile grabbing 17 possessions from 8 intercept marks.
Nick Duigan (team-high 22 possessions, six rebound 50s) was prolific both in a run-with role in the midfield against Nathan Lovett-Murray and as a spare man in defence. Nick Graham (19 disposals) and Menzel were the other notables in the way they carried their team’s load on young shoulders.
On a bitter note for Carlton fans, Shaun Hampson was assisted from the field, nursing his knee mid way through the first term, after an awkward plant of his foot, giving chase to an opponent. He is set to have scans to confirm the extent of the injury.
Hampson’s injury summed up a sour day for the Blues with Coach Luke Webster pointing to the Bombers’ ability to score from his side’s turnovers – a staggering 10.7.
“Our work rate and our intensity was very poor today,” Webster said post-match.
“To allow Essendon to score heavily on the counter-attack…our ability to man up on an opponent and play on a opponent was very poor.
“Having Hampson go down did force a few structural changes. But it was a frustrating day from the coaches box, as we had a plan and our players weren't anywhere near able to execute it.”
The Blues cling to eighth spot for dear life, meanwhile limping into a week off due to the split-round scheduling of Round 13 in the VFL. Webster declared he’ll be making full use of the break.
"Going into the bye, we've got a lot to look at,” Webster said.
“We have a few guys coming back into the mix, maybe including a few Carlton-listed players. We'll sit down collectively and discuss where we're at what we can improve upon."
The Northern Blues’ next play the Box Hill Hawks at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday, July 20.
ESSENDON 5.1 8.5 11.10 18. 10. (118)
NORTHERN BLUES 0.4 2.6 5.9 6. 13. (49)
GOALS: Menzel 3, Buckley, Lincoln, Wilson
BEST: Watson, Menzel, Duigan, Gianfagna, Graham, Meese
Matthew Lodge covers Northern Blues games for Carltonfc.com.au. You can follow him on Twitter: @MatthewSLodge
