Blues worst effort of 2005: Pagan

Carlton coach Denis Pagan offered a blunt assessment of his side's performance after the Blues suffered a mammoth 99-point thrashing at the hands of Essendon at the MCG on Sunday.

Essendon has registered its highest-ever score against Carlton as the rampant Bombers destroyed the Blues 28.14 (182) to 11.17 (83).

Matthew Lloyd and Mark Johnson were the chief destroyers for the Dons with seven and six goals respectively, with Johnson also gathering 26 possession
James Hird was outstanding for the Bombers with 29 touches and three goals as was Scott Lucas with 27 disposals and a goal.
Jason Johnson also put in his usual consistant performance in his 150th senior game.

Lance Whitnall was the best for Carlton with 22 possessions and 10 marks, while Heath Scotland also gathered 26 touches and took 11 marks.

Amazingly, the Bombers simply weren't switched on as the game got underway and the Blues took advantage - jumping out to a 19-point lead with just under 10 minutes on the clock.
Carlton had taken 18 marks to Essendon's one at that point and should have been further in front as both Jarrad Waite and Brendan Fevola missed set shots at goal.

It didn't look like it was going to be the Dons' day as both Ricky Dyson and Kepler Bradley missed golden opportunities to register their side's first goal, but Jobe Watson sparked the amazing scoring avalanche when he goaled at the 12-minute mark.

It was as if master coach Kevin Sheedy had just flicked a switch from his lofty perch up in the stands and the Blues did not get a look in for the rest of the quarter (or the match for that matter).