Carlton continues its resurgence under interim coach Josh Fraser with a five-point victory over Essendon, but controversy erupts as a clock malfunction appears to rob the Bombers of precious seconds in the dying embers of the game.
With Essendon needing two goals and Zach Reid lining up a set shot, the match clock appeared to jump from 44 seconds down to 22.
Earlier, Jai Serong snapped a last-gasp major to earn Sydney a two-point win over St Kilda, after the Swans had trailed by as many as 33 points in the first half.
Follow all the action in our live blog.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 3:53pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 3:53pm
AFL Sunday scoreboardSun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:13pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:13pmSun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:13pm
Carlton’s McKay talks about clever clock management for late kick
Before THAT clock controversy, there was another bit of questionable clock management by Harry McKay.
The big Carlton forward took a mark a good bit outside 50, and went back a fair way to indicate he was going to kick for goal.
McKay took 40 seconds or so, letting the clock run down, and then ended up kicking to the square before Essendon’s break for the final goal of the day.
Asked about it on Fox Footy, McKay said:
“I always have a theory, late in the game when you have a shot even (outside 50) you can go back and take 30.”
He did admit that it was slightly absurd to think he “was going to kick it from there”, but said that he thought he was ok.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:04pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:04pm
The Blues sing the song at the MCGSun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:03pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:03pm
FT statsCentre clearances: 13-8 EssContested possessions: 132-107 EssUncontested possessions: 266-242 CarlMarks inside 50: 12-11 EssSun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:58pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:58pm
Clock controversy in final minute
We’re not sure what happened, but there’s a bit of clock controversy at the MCG.
As the Bombers tried to get the first of two goals in the final minute, the clock appeared to go from 44 seconds to about 22.
It’s a bit of a mystery, and not exactly what Essendon wanted.
Patrick Cripps has been asked about it on Fox Footy, and he didn’t know what happened.
“It must have been a Carlton supporter on the clock,” he joked.
Not sure Essendon will be laughing after that.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:51pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:51pm
FT: Carlton 10.12 (72) beats Essendon 10.7 (67)
The siren sounds as Essendon can’t get the ball beyond the edge of the centre square, and Carlton have won their fourth straight game under interim coach Josh Fraser!
We have to say there was a bit of controversy there in the final minute, with the clock going a bit haywire in the countdown. But in the end, Essendon couldn’t get it done.
The Bombers tried hard and led for much of the night, but they just couldn’t quite match Carlton when it counted at the end.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:49pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:49pm
Zach Reid kicks a goal! Essendon down by five with seconds left
The Bombers have made a last desperate rush forward, and Zach Reid marked and goalled.
We have nine seconds left!
Five points in it!
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:47pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:47pm
Blues playing keepings off as time ticks down
The Blues are still ahead by 11, and they are chipping it around, trying to play keepings off.
So far the Bombers can’t get there, and time is under two minutes.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:45pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:45pm
Caddy kicks one for Essendon!
The Bombers have got one!
They are left with very little time and have to go for everything. They went down the wing, and unloaded a deep kick which went near the left post for Nate Caddy to mark.
He kicked it, and the Bombers fans get a dose of belief.
Three minutes, 11 points.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:42pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:42pm
Has Will Hayward kicked the sealer for Carlton?
Essendon just don’t have the answers.
Carlton moved it forward, and a long kick inside 50 ended in the arms of Wil Hayward, who marked and kicked the goal to put the Blues 18 points clear with a bit over five minutes on the clock.
If that’s not the sealer, it’s pretty close to it.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:40pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:40pm
Nate Caddy misses for Essendon
Nate Caddy has not had much of a go tonight, he had a chance there but kicked a point.
That makes it an even two goal margin, but time is ticking for Essendon.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:39pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:39pm
Carlton kicks two in quick time to retake control
Where was the answer from Carlton? There it was!
First the Bombers gave away a silly free kick, with Jacob Farrow shoving Brodie Kemp into the boards deep in the left forward pocket.
Kemp somehow nailed the kick, swinging it back right to left.
Then Talor Byrne took a mark inside 50 and converted the set shot.
The Blues are back in control, heading towards time on.
They lead by 13.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:34pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:34pm
Ben McKay kicks a point – and then a goal – for Essendon
The Bombers are still getting the ball forward, so they haven’t completely fallen in a hole, but they desperately need a goal.
Ben McKay takes a mark inside 50, but he drags his kick wide to the left.
But then the Blues turn it over, and Essendon pounce with another kick to McKay inside the arc.
And this time he kicks it!
For those keeping score, it’s Harry McKay three goals, Ben McKay two.
More importantly, the Bombers are back to within a point with half a quarter of footy to go.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:28pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:28pm
Cripps misses a straightforward chance
The Blues are charging right now, and they are getting chances everywhere you look.
They find Patrick Cripps for a mark inside 50, and the Carlton skipper runs up … and blazes well wide to the right.
That could have been a dagger if he had got it.
Eight points the lead, and the Bombers have to find something here.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:26pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:26pm
Ainsworth makes no mistake for Carlton
Are the Bombers running out of puff?
They tried to switch the ball there, but Mitch McGovern contested and brought it to ground, the Blues broke clear and Ben Ainsworth had another go, and this time his kick on the run never looked like missing.
The Blues lead by 7, and although there is plenty of time, it remains of the essence for Essendon to hit back here or this one could slide quickly.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:22pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:22pm
Ben Ainsworth puts Carlton ahead – by a point
Well the Blues have made a start to the last term, going forward and Ben Ainsworth had a kick which looked like it was going through but Lachie Blakiston got a hand to it.
Carlton leads by a point – it’s their first lead of the night.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:20pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:20pm
3QT statsCentre clearances: 10-5 EssContested possessions: 101-82 EssUncontested possessions: 205-194 CarlMarks inside 50: 8-7 CarlSun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:14pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:14pm
3QT: Essendon 7.4 (46) are level with Carlton 6.10 (46)
The siren sounds and the teams are level with a quarter to go.
A late miss from Brodie Kemp brought the scores even, but the Blues won that quarter kicking three goals to Essendon’s one.
It’s Carlton that has the momentum going into the last, but I’m not sure who’s going to win this one.
Neither side has inspired huge confidence in their goal-kicking.
Can the Blues make it four in a row, or will the Bombers get a win for Dean Solomon?
We won’t have long to find out.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:06pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:06pm
Hewett brings Carlton within a point
The Blues are really lifting at the MCG!
They’ve done it again, with George Hewett having a set shot and booting Carlton’s sixth of the game.
The lead is back to a single point.
What reponse do the Bombers have?
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:04pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 9:04pm
The Blues are closing in
Carlton are starting to go more direct, and it’s paid off again.
Blake Acres launched a long ball towards the left side of 50, and Brodie Kemp took the mark.
He went back and kicked the goal, and the Blues are within seven points in time on.
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