Last week Carlton's Swarm, and just about everything else, went missing.  It was so disappointing that Henry could not bring himself to report, but now I am happy to acknowledge a fine win by Essendon.

This week was a tough scrap, with no great brilliance from either side.

Judd's return gave Carlton much needed confidence and lots of tough ball gets in the midfield. Two young blokes - White for game number one and Lucas for number two - were impressive.

Thornton has been sent to the VFL to find some form, and perhaps to rekindle some commitment. In his absence, Walker dominated the defence and it is to be hoped he remembers this game when Henry's distant relative returns.

Goals to Yarran, Betts, Garlett, Houlihan and Henderson again substituted for Fevola, whose gambling problem has been this week's bad boy story.

Next five weeks are pretty daunting - Geelong, Collingwood, St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.

Even two wins would be great, three would be fantastic and four or five is unimaginable.

Go Blues!