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Blues, Bombers look to break from the pack
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Kade Simpson will play his 100th game tonight against Essendon. (Getty Images: Robert Cianflone, file photo)
Carlton midfielder Kade Simpson says victory in tonight's AFL blockbuster against Essendon could be the catalyst for the Blues to play finals football this season.
The Bombers and Blues are currently occupying the last two spots in the top eight on a ladder where only one win separates fourth from 10th.
Both sides are sitting on a 6-6 record for the year and Simpson, who will be playing his 100th game, says both sides have a point to prove.
"It's going to be a big game for the club, we need to get a win, and so do they, to get ahead of the logjam," he said.
"Whoever can get the points will put themselves above and a big chance to make the finals"
Essendon has won the last three encounters against Carlton including a thrilling four-point triumph in round three.
Simpson says the Bombers have been playing some impressive football but payback is on the minds of the Blues players.
"The last couple of years they've had the wood over us and they played some good footy at the start of the year," he said.
"They've taken the game on, they move the ball quickly and getting it into their key forwards in Lloyd and Lucas who have performed quite well against us in the past couple of games.
"They get the ball going quick and they have a lot of speed through their midfield with [Andrew] Lovett and [Jason] Winderlich playing really well."
Simpson also praised the efforts of Jobe Watson as an important cog in the Essendon engine room, but says champion Chris Judd will be just as inspirational.
"Chris has been great for all the younger players around the club, he's just the ultimate professional," he said.
"The stuff he does at the club and the stuff he does away from the club, it's just all for his benefit and the groups benefit.
"So there's no doubt he's a superstar and it's great to be playing with him and not against him."
