Carlton forward Mitch McGovern boots two goals as Blues hang on in a thriller for second straight week

Mitch McGovern continued his consistent run of form on Saturday night, helping Carlton hold on in the dying stages to record a thrilling one-point victory over Essendon at the MCG.

With 30 seconds left on the clock Bombers forward Jacob Townsend had a shot on goal from 50m to win the game but the ball was punched over the line with the siren sounding moments later as the Blues hung on for the second straight week.

McGovern, a North Albany product, booted two goals to go with 10 touches and four score involvements in another lively display up forward.

Fellow North Albany junior Marley Williams came back into North Melbourne’s side for the first time this season after serving a two-match suspension.

Williams and his Kangas teammates suffered a narrow four-point loss to Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The small defender collected 13 disposals, six intercept possessions, three inside 50s and laid four tackles.

Fremantle captain and Lake Grace star Nat Fyfe appears to have suffered a low-grade hamstring strain in their 13-point loss to a red-hot Gold Coast team.

Fyfe had 11 disposals and three marks before he injured his right hamstring.

Pingaring’s Liam Baker picked up 14 possessions, four tackles, three marks and four intercepts in his return to Richmond’s side on Saturday afternoon.

Katanning-born Shai Bolton kicked two goals from 10 touches but the Tigers were 26-point losers to St Kilda.

North Albany star Jeremy McGovern was a late withdrawal from West Coast’s team on Saturday after failing to overcome an ankle injury he suffered in a scratch match last week.