CARLTON’S 2009 season teeters on the brink after a 69-point loss against Essendon, 21.10 (136) to 9.13 (67), in front of a monster MCG crowd of 83,407.

The 69-point loss was the Blues’ second this season, and fifth in a row to Essendon, dropping it to 6-7 and in danger of falling out of the eight depending on other round 13 results.

At the 21-minute mark of the second term, the Blues led by 14 points on the back of a Bryce Gibbs goal – 30 minutes later they trailed by 35 as the Bombers slammed on eight unanswered goals in a devastating burst of football.

Despite the best efforts of Marc Murphy, Shaun Grigg, Eddie Betts and Andrew Carrazzo, who did a fine job tagging Brent Stanton, Carlton was shown up for leg speed, accountability and at times commitment, by a young and hungry opposition intent on running its opposition ragged.

Essendon kicked 15 of the game’s final 17 goals as its midfield, led early by Jobe Watson, and later by Brent Prismall, Alwyn Davey, Andrew Welsh and Heath Hocking, led the Blues a merry dance.

Welsh successfully tagged Blue skipper Chris Judd, who tried hard but was never a huge factor.

In the context of the year, it was as disappointing effort the Blues have produced this season.

Brendan Fevola got the Blues off to a perfect start when he drilled a regulation set shot from 40 metres after receiving a lace-out Judd pass.

With Fevola up and about, and a raucous crowd cheering every move, the Blues looked dangerous.

But no one had counted on the impact of Essendon onballer Watson.

The gun Bomber gathered 11 first-quarter possessions to wreak havoc on the Blues’ midfield, particularly Gibbs who seemed determined to play wide of his opponent.

It was lanky Irishman Setanta O’hAilpin who kept the Blues in the hunt with three early contested marks, while a late goal to livewire forward Betts helped reduce the margin to a point at the first change.

With players settled in, and the feeling out process over, the second term developed into a shoot-out.

Andrew Lovett opened the scoring for the Bombers before O’hAilpin again came to the rescue when he outmarked Nathan Lovett-Murray to kick the easiest of goals.

Carlton sensed a turning point when Watson limped from the field with a badly rolled ankle 10 minutes into the second quarter term, and with the driving force off the ground, the Blues kicked three goals in the next eight minutes to seize control.

With Carrazzo completely shutting Stanton out of the game, Murphy getting on top in the middle and Gibbs finding plenty of the ball, the Blues had all the momentum.

However, it was to be shortlived.

With Watson returning – only briefly as he sat out the entire second half - the red and black somehow found a way to kick four of the first half’s remaining five goals – two from 50 metre penalties against full back Michael Jamison – to poke their noses in front at the main change.

A narrow lead soon blew to match-winning proportions as the Bombers took complete control of the game, the scoreboard and the opposition to win in a canter.

With Carlton already on its knees Essendon delivered some late knockout blows with an six-goal to one final term – on the back of a six goal to one third stanza - to add insult to injury.

Monfries did the damage with five goals, including four in the second half.

So dominant were the Bombers, the Blues kicked their second and final goal of the second half at the 16-minute mark of the last term when Judd, for one of the few times for the night, was able to break the Welsh tag.

For Carlton, Murphy led the way but lacked support. It was the same up forward for Betts, who kicked three goals and worked hard defensively.

Fevola ended with two goals but did not trouble the scorers in the second half opposed to youngster Tayte Pears, while playmaker Nick Stevens had a night to forget in the middle.

It’s back to the drawing board for the Blues who travel west next week to tackle Fremantle in what shapes as a must-win match.

Essendon  2.4  8.5  14.9  21.10 (136)
Carlton  2.3  7.7  8.9  9.13 (67)

GOALS
Essendon: Monfries 5, Lloyd 4, Lovett 3, Lucas 3, Skipworth 2, Reimers, Davey, Stanton, Ryder
Carlton: Betts 3, Fevola 2, O’hAilpin, Simpson, Gibbs, Judd

BEST
Essendon: Welsh, Prismall, Skipworth, Pears, Lovett, Monfries,
Carlton: Murphy, Carrazzo, Gibbs, Betts, O’hAilpin

INJURIES
Essendon: Watson (ankle)
Carlton: Bower (knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McBurney, Stevic, Wenn
Official crowd: 83,407 at the MCG

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.