Wright kicks five on return as Bombers crush Carlton

Shayne Hope | June 11, 2023

Essendon’s Peter Wright has returned from injury with five goals in a 34-point win over Carlton that pours more heat on the beleaguered Blues and their coach Michael Voss.

Wright was the focal point as a third-quarter Bomber blitz broke the game open, leading to a 13.8 (86) to 6.16 (52) triumph at the MCG on Sunday night.

A fourth straight victory improved the Bombers’ record to 8-5 and put them within striking distance of the top four.

Wright, last year’s best-and-fairest winner and leading goal-kicker, showed no signs of rust in his comeback after missing the first three months of the 2023 season after shoulder surgery.

The 203cm target took a strong mark above his head to kick the Bombers’ first goal of the night and booted three of their seven majors – against Carlton’s two – during the crucial third term.

Wright finished off strong work from young midfielders Nic Martin (30 disposals, seven clearances), Ben Hobbs (24, two) and Jye Caldwell (25, four), while Archie Perkins helped quell the influence of Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps.

Bombers captain Zach Merrett (18 touches, one goal) shifted forward to shake Ed Curnow’s tag and played an important role as Jake Stringer (18 disposals, six clearances) added his trademark explosiveness.

“We had to be fierce in the contest to make sure that if it did break open it was on our terms,” Essendon coach Brad Scott said.

“Carlton had it on their terms in the second quarter, they dominated quite a few parts of the game, so we kept it pretty simple in terms of the system that we want to play.

“We got to work at the contest and got some reward.”

An eighth defeat from nine matches leaves the Blues’ season in freefall and raises more questions over Voss’ future despite the Carlton hierarchy publicly guaranteeing his position.

They have now lost six straight games for the first time since the horror run that led to Brendon Bolton’s dismissal as coach four years ago.

Carlton had far more forward entries (56-41) but were inefficient throughout and particularly wasteful when kicking 3.10 in the first half.

Their scoring woes continued as key forwards Charlie Curnow (2.4) and Harry McKay (1.0) were short of their best again.

The Blues failed to reach 60 points for a fifth consecutive week.

“It wasn’t a lack of getting it there but the reality is that we haven’t been able to create scoreboard pressure,” frustrated coach Voss said.

“You can win contest and you can be great on defence and get the ball going there, but if you’re not able to finish your work it just puts pressure on your system.”

Sam Walsh (34 disposals), Adam Cerra (31) and Sam Docherty (27) racked up touches for Carlton but were outclassed by the Bombers’ slick on-ball division.

Essendon dominated the tackle count (64-33) in a sign of their superior intensity.