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CARLTON has suffered its first loss of the season after Essendon prevailed by four points in a thrilling encounter in front of 70,411 fans at the MCG on Saturday night.
A goal to Sam Jacobs made it a three-point game late in a heart-stopping final term and the Blues had one last forward foray with less than a minute to play, but the Dons were able to hold on and ice the clock for the 17.14 (116) to 16.16 (112) win.
The Blues led by 27 points early in the second quarter, but went into half-time two points down in a match where the momentum swung wildly from one team to the other.
Chris Judd was superb with 33 disposals, but the next-best possession winner was Nick Stevens a fair way back with 23. Brendan Fevola booted four goals, but missed a few he would usually gobble up.
Brent Stanton led the way for the Bombers with 26 touches while Matthew Lloyd booted five goals.
The Blues were well on top in the early going, but cost themselves a larger lead with some wayward kicking for goal.
Three behinds were registered before Jordan Russell got one the right side of the post and Carlton was away.
Judd was instrumental in the impressive display with 12 first-quarter possessions helping his side out to 20-point lead at the first break.
Darcy Daniher had the job on Fevola and he had his hands full, but the big forward was the main offender in terms of inaccuracy with 3.5 and one out on the full in the first half.
Fev's second goal early in the second term had Blues' fans contemplating the final winning margin, but the Bombers conjured a stirring comeback.
Alwyn Davey's pressure was a key factor in the turnaround with Lloyd and Scott Lucas shaking off their indifferent recent form to help draw their side closer.
There was just two points in it when Fev kicked his third, but the Dons kept coming and Lucas gave them the lead for the first time when he goaled in the shadows of half-time.
A string of three unanswered goals early in the third had alarm bells ringing in Brett Ratten's box as the Bombers opened up a 13-point lead, but a trademark pick-up and snap from Eddie Betts stalled their run.
This time it was Carlton's turn to surge with Ryan Houlihan drawing the scores level and nice efforts from Shaun Grigg and Jeff Garlett restoring a 13-point advantage.
But a frustrating few minutes late in the quarter saw Essendon kick four goals straight with Davey converting a free kick paid against Brett Thornton directly after Lloyd's fifth to retake the lead.
The Blues trailed by six points as the last quarter got underway and, despite goals to Marc Murphy and Fevola, they couldn't quite bridge the gap.
Jacobs' last-gasp effort set up the tense final moments of the game, but Carlton was unable to find a way through the crowded Bomber defence.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs.
CARLTON 4.6 7.10 13.13 16.16 (112)
ESSENDON 1.4 8.6 15.10 17.14 (116)
GOALS
Carlton: Fevola 4, Wiggins 2, Betts 2, Murphy 2, Houlihan 2, Grigg, Jacobs, Garlett, Russell
Essendon: Lloyd 5, Lucas 2, Davey 2, Stanton 2, Dempsey 2, Monfries, Jacobs, Skipworth, Ryder
BEST
Carlton: Judd, Murphy, Wiggins, Waite, Stevens, Fevola
Essendon: Stanton, Lloyd, Monfries, Lovett, Ryder, Watson
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Reports:
Carlton: Nil
Essendon: David Hille reported by umpire Donlon for forceful head-high contact on Richard Hadley in the third quarter.
Umpires: Donlon, McLaren, Mollison
Official crowd: 70,411 at the MCG
