Essendon Bombers vs Carlton Blues Prediction, Preview, Team News and More: AFL Round 13, 2024

On Sunday, June 8, the Essendon Bombers and Carlton Blues trade tackles at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in the AFL Round 13. Both sides have been in top form lately, so fans will hope for a cracker on King's Birthday eve.

Second-place Essendon come into the tie licking their wounds from the previous round. The Bombers ' seven-matches unbeaten streak was ended by Gold Coast last week, handing them a third loss of the season.

It will be interesting to see how Brad Scott's team react after last week's defeat. A win against the Blues could cement a top-four position for the 16-time premiers, but a loss will raise questions about their credentials as premiership favorites.

Carlton, meanwhile, will aim to hand Essendon a second consecutive defeat while pursuing their third consecutive victory. The Blues sit outside the top-four on point differential, and a win could see them leap into second.

However, the main attraction of the clash will be the battle between the McKay twins. Essendon's Ben McKay and Carlton's Harry McKay will go up against each other for the first time in nine seasons.

The Blues have been dominant lately, securing three victories in the last five matches against Essendon. Both sides have a rich history of playing at the MCG, and it will be a fight till the end.

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Essendon Bombers vs Carlton Blues Form Guide

Essendon Bombers Form Guide (WWWWL): The Essendon Bombers are second in the AFL ladder.

Carlton Blues Form Guide (LWLWW): The Carlton Blues are fifth in the AFL ladder.

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Essendon Bombers vs Carlton Blues Team News

Essendon Bombers

Injured: Kane Baldwin (Foot), Darcy Parish (Calf), Zach Reid (Pectoral), Mason Redman (Hamstring), Sam Draper (Knee), Tood Goldstein (Ankle), Xavier Duursma (Quad), Ben Hobbs (Calf), Kyle Langford (Hip), Jaiden Hunter (Knee)

Suspended: none

Carlton Blues

Injured: Jack Silvagni (Knee), Marc Pittonet (Finger), Sam Docherty (Knee), David Cuningham (Calf), Matt Cottrell (Foot), Adam Cerra (Hamstring), Matt Carroll (Groin), Dom Akuei (Illness), Hudson O'Keefe (Hamstring), Sam Durdin (Soreness), Jack Martin (Calf)

Suspended: none

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Essendon Bombers vs Carlton Blues Predicted Lineups

Essendon Bombers

FB: Jordan Ridley, Jayden Laverde, Ben McKay

HB: Andrew McGrath, Nic Martin, Jake Kelly

C: Dyson Heppell, Archie Perkins, Sam Durham

HF: Matt Guelfi, Jade Gresham, Harrison Jones

FF: Kyle Langford, Jake Stringer, Peter Wright

FOL: Jye Caldwell, Zach Merret, Elijah Tsatas

I/C: Tood Goldstein, Will Setterfield, Nick Hind, Jye Menzie, Nik Cox

EMG: Dylan Shiel, Nick Bryan, Archie Roberts

Carlton Blues

FB: Brodie Kemp, Jacob Weitering, Lachlan Cowan

HB: Mitch McGovern, Adam Saad, Nic Newman

C: Oliver Hollands, Blake Acres, Patrick Cripps

HF: Zac Williams, Charlie Curnow, Alex Cincotta

FF: Elijah Hollands, Matthew Owies, Harry McKay

FOL: Tom De Koning, Sam Walsh, Matthew Kennedy

I/C: Corey Durdin, Jack Carroll, Jordan Boyd, George Hewett, Lachie Fogarty

EMG: Caleb Marchbank, Jaxon Binns, Jesse Motlop

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Essendon Bombers vs Carlton Blues Prediction

Prediction: Carlton Blues to win by 12 points