Young Carlton star Jacob Weitering has escaped serious injury after a scary moment in the Blues’ dour 15-point win over Essendon on Sunday.

Weitering, Carlton’s top overall draft pick last year, desperately lunged for a loose ball in the goal square early in the second quarter and was met solidly in the head and shoulder by Bombers forward Mitch Brown.

The 18-year-old lay on the turf for several minutes before he was helped from the ground, coach Brendon Bolton later confirming he had suffered a subluxation of the shoulder and would be assessed for concussion.

He took no further part in the 10.12 (72) to 8.9 (57) win in front of 43,827 fans at the MCG but Bolton said he could be fit to take on Collingwood next week.

“He’s had a slip of the shoulder and we’ll assess during the week to see how much strength he’s got,” Bolton said.

“We’ll know a bit more in a day or two.

“He’s very resilient … and he’s pretty professional for a first-year player so I’m sure he’ll deal with this just fine.”

The Blues’ second win of the season came on the heels of last weeks’ victory over Fremantle in Perth.

It certainly wasn’t pretty – neither team managed a goal in the second quarter – and while Bolton was proud of the effort, he said it is still clear to him that there is much work to be done as he rebuilds last year’s wooden spooners.

“We make that which is easy look incredibly hard at times,” he said.

“It’s about trying to build to four-quarter performances and we’re not there yet. We’re giving effort but there’s some periods where we don’t … but that’s learning and that’s typical of where we’re at.”

Bryce Gibbs (32 disposals, one goal) and Dale Thomas (31 possessions, one goal) were outstanding for Carlton with Marc Murphy and Ed Curnow also important.

Adam Cooney impressed for Essendon with 28 touches, while Darcy Parish and Mitch Brown kicked two goals each.

The Bombers scored just one goal in the first half but fought back to take the lead late in the third quarter.

However, Carlton managed a four-goal burst in the final term that proved decisive.

“It’s all development for us … it was a scrappy game but in the second half I thought we saw some reasonable signs,” Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

“A lot of these players have got a lot to learn about the game … but they’re learning things for us.”

Patrick Cripps was a late withdrawal for the Blues with calf tightness, but is expected to be fit to take on the Pies next Saturday.