Match Report

Carlton has finished its campaign with a 34-point win over Essendon.

CARLTON has finish its season with back-to-back wins, producing a 34-point win over arch rival Essendon.

The Blues led at every change and withstood every Bomber surge in the 13.12 (90) to 8.8 (56) win, in the Blues’ first final round win since 2013.

It was a hot first five minutes of footy, with the Blues looking threatening despite early chances going astray. George Hewett came out firing in the first, conjuring up 11 disposals along with four clearances and a goal in the opening term.

While the Bombers landed the first blow, it didn’t take long to trigger a response. It the smalls who got busy in the early parts of the quarter, as Jesse Motlop finished on the run from 50 metres to kick Carlton’s opener directly from the centre clearance.

Moments later, Will White had his first of the evening, finishing a simple set shot for back-to-back Blues goals, as the Blues took full advantage of their midfield dominance (10-4 clearances) to hold the lead at quarter time.

Following the first break, the Blues looked to bolster their lead and did exactly that, with it not taking Harry McKay long to produce a major in the second term after last week’s seven-goal haul.

With McKay having a huge impact in the aerial, Hudson O’Keeffe was able to snag his first with a clever finish as the midfield began to take control.

Hewett (25 disposals to half time) and Sam Walsh (20) linked up, before a fast play down the wing gave Flynn Young his first look at the big sticks: he obliged to get the Blues their third of the term, taking a five-goal lead into the main break.

Coming out of half time, the Bombers came out charging, with Ashton Moir stepping up for his second goal to stem the tide.

In the face of adversity, captain Cripps stood up throughout the third with Blake Acres also finding plenty of it, before the lively Francis Evans produced an inspired five minutes of football.

A transition through the corridor saw him slot his first of the night with composure, before another centre clearance saw him stand up to produce another. Soon after, he took an intercept mark and produced the assist for a Zac Williams goal.

Another strong showing in third gave Carlton a 38-point lead heading into the fourth.

Looking to close out their last quarter of football in season 2025, the contest began to tighten up. Jacob Weitering was relentless throughout the term, winning a number of crucial one-on-ones on the way to 10 intercept possessions for the night.

Just when the Blues needed a goal, the hot-handed Evans booted his third with another impressive set shot from the boundary, icing the game and ensuring Carlton ended the season on the right note.

ESSENDON     1.4     2.6     5.6        8.8 (56)
CARLTON        3.4     7.6    11.8       13.12 (90)

GOALS
Carlton: Evans 3, Moir 2, F.Young 2, Hewett, McKay, Motlop, O’Keeffe, White, Williams

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