Details: MCG, Saturday 27 June, 7:40pm (AEST)

Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy, Kayo, AFL App

Live updates: Twitter, Instagram and the Carlton App

The game in focus: 

Carlton will be hoping to keep the momentum of last week's thrilling two-point victory over Geelong when it comes up against Essendon this Saturday night at the MCG. 

Plenty of eyes will be on both sides and how they react to an unusual, with doubt surrounding this weekend's clash after Essendon's game against Melbourne was postponed.

While the Blues seem to have amended their first quarters, they will still need to be wary of their fast-starting opposition, with the Bombers outscoring their opponents 62-14 in first quarters so far this year. 

Carlton's ability to stand firm against Essendon's all-out first quarter attack could very well prove to be the difference on Saturday night. 

The Blues' defenders will also need to be on their toes with lively Bomber forward Orazio Fantasia making his return to the side, while at the other end, new Blue Sam Philp will get his first look at senior footy coming in for Harry McKay. 

Last time we met:

A day to forget last time these two teams met, with the Bombers dominating with a 41-point-victory. 

However, if - as the cliché suggests - a week is a long time in football, then a year must be an eternity. Much has changed at Ikon Park since these last two teams met and that should reflect on the field.

A quick look at the teams shows how much things have changed: half of Carlton's players in this week's 22 didn't feature in Round 11 last year, while Essendon will have 12 players on Saturday night who played in last year's fixture.

Blue focus:

It was a clean, relentless and free-flowing Carlton that dominated the first three quarters against Geelong last week, and one that they will need to replicate this Saturday night. 

Much of the success arguably came from the combination of Marc Pittonet and Patrick Cripps in the midfield, with their connection evidently growing and translating to a greater synergy in the middle. 

Pittonet's deft touch was responsible for 15 hitouts to advantage, while Cripps made the most of the supply, collecting 24 disposals (17 contested), 12 clearances and two goals in a dominant performance. 

Carlton's defenders will also have to account for two of the most dangerous small forwards in the competition in Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Orazio Fantasia. Expect co-captain Sam Docherty to be pivotal in leading his backline unit, which so far has been one of the highlights of the 2020 season.

At the other end of the ground, it will be on the Blues' forwards to once again to show how well they can work together. The Blues' forwards last week produced one of their most cohesive performances to date, combining well to record the team's highest score in a first half in four years.

While they'll be without Harry McKay this week, Levi Casboult and Mitch McGovern have proven that they can work as a handy duo, while Eddie Betts... well, Eddie Betts, right? 

Get excited about:

Last week we celebrated the equaliser, this week we celebrate the record. 

Kade Simpson will suppress the tally of 328 games set by Carlton's greatest ever player, John Nicholls and put himself in third place for the most games played in the Navy Blue. 

At the other end of the scale, young Blue Sam Philp will play his first game after impressing throughout the pre-season and in recent scratch matches. 

A clearly proud Philp was overcome with emotion when he received the news in front of the playing group yesterday afternoon, and the selection is a true testament to the hard work he has put in since arriving at the Club. 

Members should also be excited for their opportunity to see their names on the back of the boys' jumpers. This week marks the first week that members' names will appear on the jumper as part of Hyundai's Back our 'Baggers campaign.