Carlton have beaten arch-rivals Essendon by eight points in a pulsating duel, finally holding on when threatened in the second half.

The Blues’ handling of a high hit to Adam Cerra will be a major talking point after the 11.12 (78) to 11.4 (70) win on Sunday night at the MCG.

Despite the win, Michael Voss joked that recently sacked football coach Ange Postecoglou, who is a known Carlton supporter, would be more than welcome to sit in the coaching box. 

‘If he wants to come and sit in my coaches’ box, he’s more than welcome.’ 

Voss, interestingly then went on to give his take on Postecoglou’s axing by Spurs last week. 

Michael Voss (pictured) has joked that Ange Postecoglou is welcome to join his Carlton coaching side

It comes after Postecoglou (pictured) was controversially sacked by Tottenham last week

The move has promoted wide-spread criticism from the football world, with the Australian being sent his marching orders after winning the Europa League with the north London-based side in only his second season of management.  

Despite Spurs’ woeful league form, with the club slipping to 17th in the Premier League, Voss appeared bewildered himself by Daniel Levy’s call to axe the former Brisbane Roar and Celtic coach. 

‘I’m reading that from a long way away. What am I to say, I don’t have all the facts in front of me but I would have thought that it was a pretty layman decision to stick with it,’ Voss rasoned.

‘But I’m not them.’  

After a hot start that proved decisive, Carlton were in all sorts of trouble in the second half before steadying, partly thanks to an effusive three-quarter-time spray from coach Michael Voss.

Blake Acres kicked a booming goal from an acute angle at the start of the last term to fortify Carlton, before Zac Williams added another that gave them crucial breathing space.

Just like last week against Brisbane, the Bombers paid dearly for a woeful first term.

Blues defender Jack Silvagni was outstanding, keeping Essendon young gun Nate Caddy goal-less, while midfielder Darcy Parish had 10 clearances in his return from injury. 

The Aussie manager, who won the Europa League last month with Spurs, is a known Carlton fan

It came after Carlton hung on to seal a huge victory against bitter rivals Essendon on Sunday

The Bombers could have closed to within a goal late in the third, but a desperate tackle from Adam Saad stopped Xavier Duursma from having a shot

The Blues were missing key forward Harry McKay with a knee ailment, but his replacement Hudson O’Keeffe made an excellent AFL debut.

Carlton looked like enjoying a night out when they kicked the first four goals in 14 minutes.

Bombers debutant Luamon Lual briefly stemmed the onslaught when he joined the “first kick, first goal” club.

But the Blues kicked another two goals to close out the first term and broke out to a 38-point lead 10 minutes after the first break.

Two minutes into the second term, Sam Durham collected Cerra with a high bump that looks certain to earn the Essendon on-baller a suspension.

Cerra was left with a black eye and was assessed on the ground, but surprisingly did not come off for a HIA.

Carlton medical staff reviewed the incident on boundary-line video and finally, after 14 minutes, Cerra was taken off the ground for the HIA, which he passed.

It is unclear whether there was any AFL intervention before the Blues decided to take Cerra to the rooms.

Debutant Luamon Lual (pictured) scored on his debut in what was a fairytale first appearance

Meanwhile, the Bombers rallied from their dismal first term and steadily worked into the game

They reduced the margin to 28 points at the main break and went on the attack in the third, kicking four goals to one.

Remarkably, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps went stat-less in the third as Essendon surged.

The Bombers could have closed to within a goal late in the third, but a desperate tackle from Adam Saad stopped Xavier Duursma from having a shot.

Sam Walsh was instrumental again for Carlton, with an equal game-high 32 disposals.