Carlton–Essendon AFL rivalry
Encyclopedia
The rivalry between the Carlton
and Essendon
football clubs is one of the most celebrated rivalries in the Australian Football League
.
, had enjoyed considerable success through the 1970s, while Essendon had endured mediocrity. In 1981, former Richmond player Kevin Sheedy, took the role as coach at Essendon (a role he would ultimately fill for 27 years), and he brought his dislike of Carlton with him to his new club.
The significance of 1981 is highlighted by the memorable and controversial finish to the teams' second meeting that season, which was held at Princes Park. With twenty minutes elapsed in the final quarter, Carlton held a 26 point lead; but, Essendon kicked four goals in the remaining twelve minutes to win the match by one point. The controversy came when, with the margin still at 14 points, Carlton's Mike Fitzpatrick
conceded a free kick in defence for the rarely-applied infringement of wasting time; that free kick resulted in a behind, and therefore did not have a direct influence the result, but it is the incident from which this game is mostly remembered. That match was the second in a string of ten consecutive wins by Essendon against Carlton.
Since then, two matches (resulting in one upset
victory to each team) most strongly define the rivalry between the clubs. The first was the 1993 Grand Final
, when Carlton was a strong favourite to win, but was comprehensively beaten by 44 points by a notably young, inexperienced Essendon team known as the "Baby Bombers". The second was the 1999 Preliminary Final
, when Essendon was an even stronger favourite to win, but was beaten by a single point by a Carlton team whose form throughout the season had been inconsistent.
Aside from the two key games, the thirty years of the modern incarnation of the rivalry up to 2011 has seen several memorable, close games, including three drawn matches, five matches decided by a single point — which, other than the 1999 Preliminary final, were all home-and-away matches won by Essendon — and a total of 15 matches decided by one goal or less.
– who played 378 games for Essendon, winning two premierships, four best and fairests, and a Norm Smith Medal
– and Justin Madden
– who played 45 games for Essendon and 287 games for Carlton, winning two premierships and two best and fairests. The establishment of the trophy coincided with Justin's retirement in 1997. The two clubs always play each other twice during the home-and-away season, but the Madden Cup is contested only once per year: in the Carlton home game during odd-numbered years, and in Essendon home game during even-numbered years.
Their first meeting in a final was in the 1904 Semi Final, and this was the only time that Carlton and Essendon played against each other at Victoria Park
, which was Collingwood's home ground. Carlton won by 3 points before going on to lose the 1904 Grand Final to Fitzroy
.
The most recent final played between the clubs was the 2011 Elimination Final, which Carlton won by 62 points. Before this was the 2000 Preliminary Final, which Essendon won by 45 points.
over Carlton at Waverley Park
. To date this is the only pre-season/night series Grand Final played between the two clubs.
Essendon 9.11 (65) defeated Carlton 6.5 (41)
Essendon 17.12 (114) defeated Carlton 12.9 (81)
. His kick after the siren
, from 35-40m on a wide angle, famously went out on the full.
Carlton 19.18 (132) drew Essendon 20.12 (132)
Carlton 15.10 (100) defeated Essendon 14.14 (98)
Minor premier Essendon was an overwhelming favourite to easily beat sixth-placed Carlton in the preliminary final to progress to the Grand Final
against the Kangaroos
. In a tight final quarter, Carlton's Anthony Koutoufides
played one of the greatest individual performances of all-time, and Fraser Brown
made a match-saving tackle on Essendon's Dean Wallis
in the final minute to seal an upset one-point victory.
Carlton 16.8 (104) defeated Essendon 14.19 (103)
Essendon 16.13 (109) defeated Carlton 12.11 (83)
Essendon 18.17 (125) defeated Carlton 12.8 (80)
Essendon 16.9 (105) drew Carlton 15.15 (105)
, who kicked 8 goals.
Carlton 18.17 (125) defeated Essendon 17.20 (122)
, walked out on the club. After the 2005 season Carlton tried to make it difficult for Scott to leave by not releasing him to train with Essendon (his desired club). He nominated for the pre-season draft, where, Essendon picked up Camporeale as expected with pick 4 in the 2005 pre-season draft. Camporeale debuted with Essendon in Round 1, 2006. After 19 games over two seasons at Essendon, Camporeale retired and joined Essendon's coaching staff, where worked as an assistant coach until 2010.
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
and Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
football clubs is one of the most celebrated rivalries in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
The Birth of the Modern Rivalry
There are conflicting views on how far the rivalry between Essendon and Carlton stretches. However, the intensity of the rivalry today can be traced directly back to 1981. Carlton and one of its strongest traditional rivals, RichmondRichmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
, had enjoyed considerable success through the 1970s, while Essendon had endured mediocrity. In 1981, former Richmond player Kevin Sheedy, took the role as coach at Essendon (a role he would ultimately fill for 27 years), and he brought his dislike of Carlton with him to his new club.
The significance of 1981 is highlighted by the memorable and controversial finish to the teams' second meeting that season, which was held at Princes Park. With twenty minutes elapsed in the final quarter, Carlton held a 26 point lead; but, Essendon kicked four goals in the remaining twelve minutes to win the match by one point. The controversy came when, with the margin still at 14 points, Carlton's Mike Fitzpatrick
Mike Fitzpatrick (footballer)
Michael "Mike" Fitzpatrick is an Australian businessman, sporting administrator and former Australian rules footballer....
conceded a free kick in defence for the rarely-applied infringement of wasting time; that free kick resulted in a behind, and therefore did not have a direct influence the result, but it is the incident from which this game is mostly remembered. That match was the second in a string of ten consecutive wins by Essendon against Carlton.
Since then, two matches (resulting in one upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
victory to each team) most strongly define the rivalry between the clubs. The first was the 1993 Grand Final
1993 AFL Grand Final
The 1993 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Essendon Football Club and Carlton Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 25 September 1993. It was the 97th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
, when Carlton was a strong favourite to win, but was comprehensively beaten by 44 points by a notably young, inexperienced Essendon team known as the "Baby Bombers". The second was the 1999 Preliminary Final
1999 AFL First Preliminary Final
The 1999 AFL First Preliminary Final was an Australian rules football match contested between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 18 September 1999...
, when Essendon was an even stronger favourite to win, but was beaten by a single point by a Carlton team whose form throughout the season had been inconsistent.
Aside from the two key games, the thirty years of the modern incarnation of the rivalry up to 2011 has seen several memorable, close games, including three drawn matches, five matches decided by a single point — which, other than the 1999 Preliminary final, were all home-and-away matches won by Essendon — and a total of 15 matches decided by one goal or less.
Madden Cup
In 1998, the clubs established the Madden Cup as an annual prize for matches between the two clubs. The Madden Cup is named in honour of brothers Simon MaddenSimon Madden
Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989....
– who played 378 games for Essendon, winning two premierships, four best and fairests, and a Norm Smith Medal
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is the award given in the AFL Grand Final to the player adjudged by an independent panel of experts to have been the best player in the match.-History:The Norm Smith Medal is named after former Melbourne player and coach, Norm Smith...
– and Justin Madden
Justin Madden
Madden was 206 cm tall, and one of the tallest men ever to play Australian Rules football, and his potential in this area was fully utilized by Carlton, who used him as their main ruckman. Over the next fifteen seasons, Madden became a mainstay of the Carlton side, and one of the most...
– who played 45 games for Essendon and 287 games for Carlton, winning two premierships and two best and fairests. The establishment of the trophy coincided with Justin's retirement in 1997. The two clubs always play each other twice during the home-and-away season, but the Madden Cup is contested only once per year: in the Carlton home game during odd-numbered years, and in Essendon home game during even-numbered years.
Head To head
Since joining the VFL in 1897, Essendon and Carlton have faced off 230 times.| Head To Head Results | |
|---|---|
| Played | 235 |
| 120 | |
| 110 | |
| Draws | 5 |
Finals
In 112 years, the two clubs have played in 20 Finals against each other.Their first meeting in a final was in the 1904 Semi Final, and this was the only time that Carlton and Essendon played against each other at Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park is a sports venue in Abbotsford a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Built for the purpose of both Australian rules football and cricket, the stadium is oval shaped....
, which was Collingwood's home ground. Carlton won by 3 points before going on to lose the 1904 Grand Final to Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
.
The most recent final played between the clubs was the 2011 Elimination Final, which Carlton won by 62 points. Before this was the 2000 Preliminary Final, which Essendon won by 45 points.
| Finals Results | |
|---|---|
| Played | 20 |
| 10 | |
| 10 | |
| Draws | 0 |
Grand Finals
Essendon and Carlton have contested six Grand Finals, most recently in 1993. Each team has won three of these encounters.1908
For the main article click here; 1908 VFL Grand Final1908 VFL Grand Final
The 1908 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Carlton Football Club and Essendon Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 26 September 1908. It was the 11th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the...
| Team | 1 Qtr | 2 Qtr | 3 Qtr | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897... |
2.3 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.5 (35) |
| Essendon Essendon Football Club The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League... |
1.1 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 3.8 (26) |
| Crowd: 50,261 at the MCG McG Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer.... . |
1947
For the main article click here; 1947 VFL Grand Final1947 VFL Grand Final
The 1947 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Carlton Football Club and Essendon Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 27 September 1947. It was the 51st annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers for...
| Team | 1 Qtr | 2 Qtr | 3 Qtr | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897... |
4.0 | 8.0 | 10.4 | 13.8 (86) |
| Essendon Essendon Football Club The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League... |
3.7 | 8.11 | 10.15 | 11.19 (85) |
| Crowd: 85,815 at the MCG McG Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer.... . |
1949
For the main article click here; 1949 VFL Grand Final1949 VFL Grand Final
The 1949 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Carlton Football Club and Essendon Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 24 September 1949. It was the 53rd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers for...
| Team | 1 Qtr | 2 Qtr | 3 Qtr | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897... |
2.4 | 2.10 | 3.12 | 6.16 (52) |
| Essendon Essendon Football Club The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League... |
3.3 | 7.7 | 12.15 | 18.17 (125) |
| Crowd: 90,453 at the MCG McG Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer.... . |
1962
For the main article click here; 1962 VFL Grand Final1962 VFL Grand Final
The 1962 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Essendon Football Club and Carlton Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 29 September 1962. It was the 66th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
| Team | 1 Qtr | 2 Qtr | 3 Qtr | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897... |
1.1 | 5.6 | 7.8 | 8.10 (58) |
| Essendon Essendon Football Club The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League... |
6.5 | 7.7 | 10.10 | 13.12 (90) |
| Crowd: 98,385 at the MCG McG Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer.... . |
1968
For the main article click here; 1968 VFL Grand Final1968 VFL Grand Final
The 1968 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Carlton Football Club and Essendon Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 28 September 1968. It was the 72nd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
| Team | 1 Qtr | 2 Qtr | 3 Qtr | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897... |
2.2 | 6.8 | 7.9 | 7.14 (56) |
| Essendon Essendon Football Club The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League... |
2.1 | 5.1 | 6.4 | 8.5 (53) |
| Crowd: 116,828 at the MCG McG Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer.... . |
1993
For the main article click here; 1993 AFL Grand Final1993 AFL Grand Final
The 1993 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Essendon Football Club and Carlton Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 25 September 1993. It was the 97th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
| Team | 1 Qtr | 2 Qtr | 3 Qtr | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897... |
1.2 | 5.2 | 10.5 | 13.11 (89) |
| Essendon Essendon Football Club The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League... |
5.9 | 10.9 | 16.11 | 20.13 (133) |
| Crowd: 96,862 at the MCG McG Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer.... . |
The 1981 Escort Cup
On 14 July 1981, 42,269 people witnessed Essendon win the 1981 Escort CupEscort Cup
The Escort Cup was an Australian rules football competition.It ran in the 1970s and was an interstate carnival played in Victoria, the home of the Victorian Football League...
over Carlton at Waverley Park
Waverley Park
Waverley Park was an Australian rules football stadium in Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia. For most of its history, its purpose was as a neutral venue and used by all Victorian based Victorian Football League/Australian Football League clubs. However, during the 1990s it became the home ground of...
. To date this is the only pre-season/night series Grand Final played between the two clubs.
Essendon 9.11 (65) defeated Carlton 6.5 (41)
The 1983 Elimination Final
This match would symbolise the upcoming of the Essendon Football Club in the 1980s. In front of more than 65,000 people at Waverly Park, Essendon would go on to knock out the reigning Premiers before making 3 consecutive Grand Finals.Essendon 17.12 (114) defeated Carlton 12.9 (81)
Round 2, 1993
The highest scoring draw in the history of the VFL/AFL, Carlton and Essendon were tied when the final siren sounded and with the ball in the hands of Stephen KernahanStephen Kernahan
Stephen Scott Kernahan is a former Australian rules footballer best known for his career with the Carlton Football Club of the Australian Football League and the Glenelg Football Club of the SANFL from 1981 until 1997...
. His kick after the siren
After the siren kicks in Australian rules football
In Australian rules football, if a player takes a mark or is awarded a free kick before or as the siren sounds, the player is allowed to take the kick...
, from 35-40m on a wide angle, famously went out on the full.
Carlton 19.18 (132) drew Essendon 20.12 (132)
The 1993 Qualifying Final
The qualifying final between the top two teams was the first Saturday night match in AFL history. More than 79,000 people were in attendance, and there was never more than a goal the difference at the end of any quarter.Carlton 15.10 (100) defeated Essendon 14.14 (98)
The 1999 Preliminary Final
For the main article click here; 1999 AFL First Preliminary Final1999 AFL First Preliminary Final
The 1999 AFL First Preliminary Final was an Australian rules football match contested between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 18 September 1999...
Minor premier Essendon was an overwhelming favourite to easily beat sixth-placed Carlton in the preliminary final to progress to the Grand Final
1999 AFL Grand Final
The 1999 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between and , held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 25 September 1999. It was the 103rd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football League, staged to determine the premiers for the...
against the Kangaroos
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
. In a tight final quarter, Carlton's Anthony Koutoufides
Anthony Koutoufides
Anthony Koutoufides is a former Australian rules footballer with the Carlton Football Club. One of the most powerful and athletic players of all-time, he played in almost every position and was often called the prototype of the modern footballer.Of Greek and Italian descent, Koutoufides has been...
played one of the greatest individual performances of all-time, and Fraser Brown
Fraser Brown
Fraser Brown is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Originally from Lilydale, Victoria and known for his fierce style of play, Brown's highest achievements in football were playing in the 1995 premiership and winning the 1998 Carlton best and fairest.Brown will...
made a match-saving tackle on Essendon's Dean Wallis
Dean Wallis
Dean Wallis is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club of the AFL.Originally from Nhill, due to his physical style of play Wallis became known as one of the leagues toughest players...
in the final minute to seal an upset one-point victory.
Carlton 16.8 (104) defeated Essendon 14.19 (103)
Round 20, 2000
Essendon was on a nineteen-game winning streak, having not been beaten since the previous year's preliminary final. Carlton was second on the ladder with a record of 15-4, having had a thirteen-game winning streak broken only the previous week. The result was a Friday night match with a crowd of 91,571, the highest ever crowd for a night match or a Carlton match during the home-and-away season. The game itself was close right up until the final quarter, when Essendon kicked seven goals to three to win.Essendon 16.13 (109) defeated Carlton 12.11 (83)
The 2000 Preliminary Final
The sides met on Preliminary Final weekend again, and Essendon got its revenge for the previous year's heartbreak. Essendon was on top from the beginning, and put the game beyond doubt with six goals to one in the third quarter.Essendon 18.17 (125) defeated Carlton 12.8 (80)
Round 16, 2006
The near-opposite circumstances of that great match from Round 20, 2000, both teams were sitting at the bottom of the ladder. After both sides had won their Round 1 games, the next fourteen rounds had yielded no wins and a club record losing streak for Essendon, and only one win (against Essendon) for Carlton. The match became known in the media as the "Bryce Gibbs Cup", under the expectation that the loser of the game would ultimately finish last, receiving the first draft pick which was expected to be used on the young Glenelg midfielder Bryce Gibbs. Close all day, the game finished in a draw.Essendon 16.9 (105) drew Carlton 15.15 (105)
Round 3, 2007
Carlton staged one of its greatest come-backs to beat Essendon in this match. In time-on in the second quarter, Carlton trailed Essendon by 48 points. Three late goals in the second quarter dragged the margin back to 30 points. Then, seven goals to one in the third quarter saw Carlton ahead by 7 points at three-quarter time. A see-sawing final quarter ended with a three-point win to the Blues. The revival was sparked by Brendan FevolaBrendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola is a professional Australian rules footballer. He played with the Carlton and Brisbane Lions football clubs in the Australian Football League....
, who kicked 8 goals.
Carlton 18.17 (125) defeated Essendon 17.20 (122)
Justin Murphy
Journeyman Justin Murphy spent time at four AFL clubs, but spent the longest time at Carlton. It was Murphy who was holding the ball as the final siren sounded in Carlton's 1999 Preliminary Final victory over Essendon. Murphy ultimately would spend the final two years of his AFL career at Essendon.Scott Camporeale
After 233 games in the navy blue, one of Carlton's favourite sons, Scott CamporealeScott Camporeale
Scott Camporeale is a former Australian rules footballer who spent the majority of his AFL career with the Carlton Football Club.-AFL career:...
, walked out on the club. After the 2005 season Carlton tried to make it difficult for Scott to leave by not releasing him to train with Essendon (his desired club). He nominated for the pre-season draft, where, Essendon picked up Camporeale as expected with pick 4 in the 2005 pre-season draft. Camporeale debuted with Essendon in Round 1, 2006. After 19 games over two seasons at Essendon, Camporeale retired and joined Essendon's coaching staff, where worked as an assistant coach until 2010.