Blues break their 2018 duck with victory over the old rival
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TODAY’S LINE-UP from 12PM: Leigh Matthews, Jimmy Bartel, Caroline Wilson, Tim Lane, Tony Leonard, and Tiff Cherry
Photo: Joe Castro / AAP
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LETHAL’S VOTES
Leigh Matthews said Ed Curnow was the best afield.
Curnow won 24 touches, while also restricting dangerous Bomber Zach Merrett to 16.
Leigh’s votes:
5. Ed Curnow (Carl)
4. Matthew Kreuzer (Carl)
3. Patrick Cripps (Carl)
2. Devon Smith (Ess)
1. Dale Thomas (Carl)
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THE WASH-UP
Blues veteran Dale Thomas spoke to 3AW Football in the rooms.
He said it’s important for young teams to get reward for effort.
“For them to taste today, to feel it and live it, will hopefully hold us in good stead going forward,” he said.
Click PLAY for the full chat with Thomas in the rooms
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FULL TIME
Carlton has broken its 2018 duck with a win over their old rivals.
The Blues booted seven of the last 10 goals to run out 13-point winners.
With such a young group, and a couple from other clubs, there were almost more players inside the circle than outside.
Tony Leonard said there might not be enough Gatorade!
Gonna need more than that, boys!#AFLBluesDons pic.twitter.com/hAW40tEuHt
— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) May 12, 2018
Jimmy Bartel said it was an “important” result for the Blues.
“There’s only so many times you can keep telling the players the same message of ‘you’ll be OK, it’ll work’,” Jimmy said.
“Sometimes you just need that win to say ‘I told you so!'”
Click PLAY for the full-time wrap
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HALF TIME
Essendon leads by the smallest possible margin at the main break.
It’s been an even half, with both sides getting on top in patches.
Dyson Heppell and Devon Smith have been prominent for the Bombers, while Matthew Kreuzer and Patrick Cripps have been busy in the engine room for Carlton.
Jimmy Bartel said it’s a battle of two midfield styles: Essendon on the outside, Carlton on the inside.
“In an ideal world, these two midfields would merge,” he said.
Click PLAY for the half-time wrap
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THE BUILD-UP
There’s PLENTY on the line at the MCG this afternoon.
Two powerhouse clubs go head-to-head in desperate need of a win.
The fallout will be MASSIVE!
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