“A memorable game for me doesn’t have to be the one of my injury, or ones which I remember playing well. In fact, there was a game against Fitzroy back in 1961 at the old Brunswick Street Oval that I remember well for different reasons. Ken Hands was coaching, and I was playing on Ian Aston, the Victorian wingman of that year. Now Ian was a similar size and height, and I thought I could do well on him.”
Carlton were up at three quarter time and looked set for victory. “As the game panned out, I was having a good game on Ian, and in the third quarter, Len Smith – Norm Smith’s brother, who was coaching Fitzroy, moved Ian to their half forward flank.”
“The general view in the papers the day after was that I was having a good day, but when they moved Aston my Coach moved me to follow him on the Half Back Flank. Aston went mad in the last quarter! I was a bit out of position, they ended up beating us in a close one. There was a big article in the paper that said I ‘should never have been moved!’” In the end, Fitzroy won a close one by 9 points, kicking the only goals in the last quarter whilst Carlton managed a solitary point.
When asked about why this game in particular stood out, the response was immediate. “Because we lost and we should have won it! The Club had to win this game, John Nicholls was playing State Footy that game. We did well to play well, and it was Fitzroy’s home ground – which was a terribly small ground…but still, we should have won it.”
Perhaps it was the events of the following week, where Pavlou’s emerging career would abruptly end due to injury at the Western Oval, that concentrate the focus on this game. But as we all know watching footy, key decisions and key changes can have a significant influence on any game, and Pavlou’s memories of Round 13, 1961 are a great insight to one that got away.
For the record, the Football Record of the following week advised:
"Lions’ captain Alan Gale was an inspiration to his side in the last quarter and was largely responsible for their victory. Best of the defenders was Ian Powell in the back pocket, while John Powell dominated the centre until he was moved to the wing. Ian Aston was fast and elusive both on the wing and on the half forward flank, while Brian Baclay was reliable at centre half back. Ron Harvey was solid and supported by Rod Vernon, with his safe marking and good disposal.
Outstanding player for the Blues was winger Chris Pavlou, who gave a great exhibition of pace and long kicking. John Heathcote played well on the other wing, while Graham Donaldson was very capable at centre half-back. Maurie Sankey and Sergio Silvagni were dependable and battled hard all day, while full-forward Tom Carroll (4 goals) showed his best form for the season, and has now moved to the top the list of leading goalscorers."