DESPITE concerns over a potential head knock, Carlton midfielder Adam Cerra delivered another telling performance in the King’s Birthday Eve clash with Essendon.
When the Bombers ramped up their pressure in the second half of the game, it was the midfield who rose to the occasion in the last term to get the Blues over the line.
With the roar of the Navy Blue faithful behind them, Cerra admitted a win over the arch rival was definitely sweeter than most.
“Any win is a sweet win: these big games and big rivalry games, they’re always great to get during the year,” Cerra said.
“We love the fans coming out, it draws a big crowd. And to see young boys like Hudson O’Keeffe coming out and playing his first game, it’s a big experience for him.”
The third term sounded alarm bells for the home team, who kicked just a single goal to Essendon’s four, bringing the margin to single digits.
Michael Voss was seen having an animated discussion with his midfield group during the three-quarter time huddle, urging his group to return to their contested dominance after the Bombers had the edge in the third term.
Cerra admitted the group had drifted from what had been working, knowing they needed to reset and play to their strengths to get the four points.
The +10 clearance differential (12-2) in the final term told the story, as Cerra and his side dominated in the middle to keep the Bombers at bay - despite a late scare.
“We probably were passive at the start of the third quarter with our body work around the contest,” Cerra said.
“We knew they were going to bring good pressure, which they did – on our end, it was about ramping that back up. It’s one of our strengths as a midfield group, so we really have to lead in there: it was just a reminder of our strengths to ramp up that intensity.”
On fire early, it was another impressive outing from Cerra who continued his strong personal season after a frustrating 2024: his numbers stack up among the best of his career so far.
As things stand, Cerra's 25.3 disposals per game sits just 0.1 behind his career-best average in 2023, while he's currently averaging career-best numbers for contested possessions (11.8), clearances (5.2) and tackles (4.8).
Voss lauded the way the No.5 has handled himself in 2025, commending his commitment to his own role and his drive to elevate the entire midfield unit.
“‘Cez’ has had an extremely strong year,” Voss said.
“For him to be able to step up and take more ownership around the midfield has been a pretty consistent thing for ‘Cez’ for most of the year.”
Cerra's numbers in 2025 to date
Rounds 1-13
25.3 disposals - No.2 for career
11.8 contested possessions - No.1 for career
5.2 clearances - No.1 for career
4.83 tackles - No.1 for career
5 inside 50s - No.2 for career
