Essendon has continued to pile the pain on struggling Carlton after holding off a late fight back to claim a 21-point win over the Blues at the MCG.

As they did in the first two losses of the season, the Blues were in the contest in the first quarter only to be blown away in the rest of the match, with the Bombers prevailing 16.9 (105) to 11.18 (84).

Captain Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard, celebrating his 250th game, were influential for the Bombers David Zaharakis and Joe Daniher got among the goals.

Carlton put on four consecutive goals in the last quarter to make things interesting, but the task proved too much in the end.

Essendon will be concerned by a suspected hamstring injury to star recruit Adam Cooney, while Carlton’s Chris Yarran is sure to be suspended for a punch on Paul Chapman that left the Bomber bloodied.

More to come.