Introduction, or let me tell you how I really feel
Oh boy wowee! Here it is. The big one.
Say what you like about other rivalries in Australian sport - this is the rivalry to end all rivalries. The one to rule them all.
The passion, the raw emotion that these clashes consistently elicit cannot be overstated.
In recent times, the year 2011 sticks in my mind. I remember maniacally chanting our Old, Dark Navy Song from the start of the 3rd quarter until long after the final siren of the Elimination Final, waving goodbye and thrusting vivaciously at all the Essendon supporters as they shuffled out of the MCG with their heads hanging low. I remember the cold emptiness of the draw in round 4 earlier that same year. And everyone remembers 1AW's Unofficial Mark of the Ages.
But there are two numbers that mean more to these two proud clubs than any others.
1993.
1999.
If you don't get shivers while reading that, you're doing it wrong.
Our rivalry was born when Sheedy moved from Richmond to Essendon in 1981, taking his renowned hatred of all things Navy Blue along with him. Sheedy was the architect of many rivalries, notably Richmond with the Dreamtime at the 'G game, and Collingwood with the ANZAC Day clash. But no other rivalry has ended up playing out on the big Finals stage like this rivalry has.
His 'Baby Bombers' stole the precious from us on the last Saturday in September 1993. And after that, we vowed to hates them forever.
We returned the favour in 1999, by 1! One glorious point. No small thanks to the face of Souvlaki Hut, and one supremely ferocious tackle courtesy of one Mr Fraser 'Leroy' Brown. "You'd wanna be on the Blues now!"
Proving the gargantuan stature of this rivalry are the historical results. This is no manufactured seat filler. This is the real deal.
32 Premierships won: 16 Carlton, 16 Essendon.
6 Grand Finals contested between the two clubs: 3 wins Carlton, 3 wins Essendon.
20 Finals contested: 10 wins Carlton, 10 wins Essendon.
217 clashes during the regular season. 111 wins Carlton, 101 wins Essendon, 5 draws.
116 years of sheer unadulterated VFL/AFL rivalry.
And so, after our brief trip in the Delorean, we arrive back to the future - and the future, ladies and gentlemen, is football.
Form lines, points of interest & personnel, or stuff you should probably know
This may all change before game day of course, but here are the teams as I see them based on the respective Round 10 versions and guaranteed inclusions.
Carlton - 5 wins, 4 losses:
B: Tuohy Jamison White
HB: Walker Henderson Simpson
C: Gibbs Judd Scotland
HF: Robinson Waite Yarran
F: Garlett Casboult Betts
Foll: Kreuzer Murphy McLean
Int: Bell Armfield Curnow Cachia
Essendon - 7 wins, 2 losses:
B: Hibberd Carlisle Feltcher
HB: Heppell Hooker Dempsey
C: Stanton Goddard Zaharakis
HF: Kommer Gumbleton Winderlich
F: Crameri Ryder Jetta
Foll: Bellchambers Watson Howlett
Int: Baguley Myers Hocking Melksham
Pound for pound, and as much as it pains me to say it, the teams are evenly matched in many areas.
The Goddard effect is in play - he has improved the quality of this side immensely, relegating players like Melksham to being part of the depth chart rather than central cogs in the team. Gumbleton is finally taking strides to becoming a reliable and effective forward target. Bellchambers has taken his ruck work to a new level over the last year and a half. Carlisle is in AA contention after taking some huge scalps and most importantly has rarely had his colours lowered this season. As for Jobe - nothing more to say here. He's a bona fide champion of the game now.
For the Blues, Walker is in career best form creating drive of half back and influencing the play. Waite is in and back to his damaging best, allowing the Triumvirate of Awesome in Betts, Garlett and Yarran to wreak havoc on opposition defensive lines. Garlett has taken great strides this year, and has become one of our most consistent performers.
Key inclusions, or players I feel might be important
Carrazzo is a must for this game - Carlton are a significantly better side with him in the engine room. Hocking will blanket Murphy, rotating to Judd if he threatens to influence the game. Carrots is an essential inclusion to return the favour and limit the effectiveness of Watson or Zaharakis. But at this stage it is highly doubtful he will be fit enough to play, denting our chances of winning the crucial midfield battle.
Hurley will likely be included should he prove his fitness, but if Gumbleton has a day out against Sydney it will be a difficult decision for the Essendon match committee. Essendon's list management team will struggle to keep Gumbleton, Hurley, Ryder and Daniher on the same playing roster in the long term.
How it will play out, or what I reckon will happen
Without Carrazzo, the result will rest on the shoulders of an inexperienced engine room. Look for Curnow to go with Stanton and Cachia to sit on Watson or Zaharakis. Both teams are guaranteed to lift for this clash, and literally anything is possible.
Essendon's drive off half back must be nullified, and of all teams in the competition we have the ability to not only restrict them but to score a significant victory in this area. Eddie will be cherry ripe and hungry, Yarran will have some run in his legs, and Jeff will relish having the band back together.
Essendon's tall targets will need to contribute significantly to a winning score. Crameri poses a big threat to us and White will have his work cut out for him to contain his influence on the outcome.
Result, or I'm just guessing here
I can't wait for the cut and thrust of game day. I absolutely dread a loss to this mob, therefore I savour the sweet taste of victory all the more. My beloved Blue boys will rise to their first true challenge under Malthouse and win a ferocious contest by 15 points.
Oh boy wowee! Here it is. The big one.
Say what you like about other rivalries in Australian sport - this is the rivalry to end all rivalries. The one to rule them all.
The passion, the raw emotion that these clashes consistently elicit cannot be overstated.
In recent times, the year 2011 sticks in my mind. I remember maniacally chanting our Old, Dark Navy Song from the start of the 3rd quarter until long after the final siren of the Elimination Final, waving goodbye and thrusting vivaciously at all the Essendon supporters as they shuffled out of the MCG with their heads hanging low. I remember the cold emptiness of the draw in round 4 earlier that same year. And everyone remembers 1AW's Unofficial Mark of the Ages.
But there are two numbers that mean more to these two proud clubs than any others.
1993.
1999.
If you don't get shivers while reading that, you're doing it wrong.
Our rivalry was born when Sheedy moved from Richmond to Essendon in 1981, taking his renowned hatred of all things Navy Blue along with him. Sheedy was the architect of many rivalries, notably Richmond with the Dreamtime at the 'G game, and Collingwood with the ANZAC Day clash. But no other rivalry has ended up playing out on the big Finals stage like this rivalry has.
His 'Baby Bombers' stole the precious from us on the last Saturday in September 1993. And after that, we vowed to hates them forever.
We returned the favour in 1999, by 1! One glorious point. No small thanks to the face of Souvlaki Hut, and one supremely ferocious tackle courtesy of one Mr Fraser 'Leroy' Brown. "You'd wanna be on the Blues now!"
Proving the gargantuan stature of this rivalry are the historical results. This is no manufactured seat filler. This is the real deal.
32 Premierships won: 16 Carlton, 16 Essendon.
6 Grand Finals contested between the two clubs: 3 wins Carlton, 3 wins Essendon.
20 Finals contested: 10 wins Carlton, 10 wins Essendon.
217 clashes during the regular season. 111 wins Carlton, 101 wins Essendon, 5 draws.
116 years of sheer unadulterated VFL/AFL rivalry.
And so, after our brief trip in the Delorean, we arrive back to the future - and the future, ladies and gentlemen, is football.
Form lines, points of interest & personnel, or stuff you should probably know
This may all change before game day of course, but here are the teams as I see them based on the respective Round 10 versions and guaranteed inclusions.
Carlton - 5 wins, 4 losses:
B: Tuohy Jamison White
HB: Walker Henderson Simpson
C: Gibbs Judd Scotland
HF: Robinson Waite Yarran
F: Garlett Casboult Betts
Foll: Kreuzer Murphy McLean
Int: Bell Armfield Curnow Cachia
Essendon - 7 wins, 2 losses:
B: Hibberd Carlisle Feltcher
HB: Heppell Hooker Dempsey
C: Stanton Goddard Zaharakis
HF: Kommer Gumbleton Winderlich
F: Crameri Ryder Jetta
Foll: Bellchambers Watson Howlett
Int: Baguley Myers Hocking Melksham
Pound for pound, and as much as it pains me to say it, the teams are evenly matched in many areas.
The Goddard effect is in play - he has improved the quality of this side immensely, relegating players like Melksham to being part of the depth chart rather than central cogs in the team. Gumbleton is finally taking strides to becoming a reliable and effective forward target. Bellchambers has taken his ruck work to a new level over the last year and a half. Carlisle is in AA contention after taking some huge scalps and most importantly has rarely had his colours lowered this season. As for Jobe - nothing more to say here. He's a bona fide champion of the game now.
For the Blues, Walker is in career best form creating drive of half back and influencing the play. Waite is in and back to his damaging best, allowing the Triumvirate of Awesome in Betts, Garlett and Yarran to wreak havoc on opposition defensive lines. Garlett has taken great strides this year, and has become one of our most consistent performers.
Key inclusions, or players I feel might be important
Carrazzo is a must for this game - Carlton are a significantly better side with him in the engine room. Hocking will blanket Murphy, rotating to Judd if he threatens to influence the game. Carrots is an essential inclusion to return the favour and limit the effectiveness of Watson or Zaharakis. But at this stage it is highly doubtful he will be fit enough to play, denting our chances of winning the crucial midfield battle.
Hurley will likely be included should he prove his fitness, but if Gumbleton has a day out against Sydney it will be a difficult decision for the Essendon match committee. Essendon's list management team will struggle to keep Gumbleton, Hurley, Ryder and Daniher on the same playing roster in the long term.
How it will play out, or what I reckon will happen
Without Carrazzo, the result will rest on the shoulders of an inexperienced engine room. Look for Curnow to go with Stanton and Cachia to sit on Watson or Zaharakis. Both teams are guaranteed to lift for this clash, and literally anything is possible.
Essendon's drive off half back must be nullified, and of all teams in the competition we have the ability to not only restrict them but to score a significant victory in this area. Eddie will be cherry ripe and hungry, Yarran will have some run in his legs, and Jeff will relish having the band back together.
Essendon's tall targets will need to contribute significantly to a winning score. Crameri poses a big threat to us and White will have his work cut out for him to contain his influence on the outcome.
Result, or I'm just guessing here
I can't wait for the cut and thrust of game day. I absolutely dread a loss to this mob, therefore I savour the sweet taste of victory all the more. My beloved Blue boys will rise to their first true challenge under Malthouse and win a ferocious contest by 15 points.
