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Carlton lost to Footscray by 5 points at Princes Park - debut of John James.

Round 1, 1953

Carlton1.5113.11296.16527.1860
Footscray2.5173.6248.6549.1165
Venue: Princes ParkDate: Saturday April 18, 1953
Result: Loss by 5 pointsUmpire: BeitzelCrowd: 27,198
Goalkickers: T.Walsh 3, J.Spencer 2, B.Milroy 1, M.Wenn 1.
Reports: Injuries: Howell (thigh) replaced by Calder third quarter. James (cramp) replaced by Hosking fourth quarter.











Game Review


Carlton welcomed future great John James when the 1953 VFL season kicked off with this 5-point loss to Footscray at Princes Park. Four other new Bluebaggers also started their VFL careers. Tony Walsh impressed with three goals at full-forward, in his first match after joining the Blues from Geelong.

The story of the match was the home side's jitters in front of goal. Bill Milroy started the rot by missing a sitter from right in front in the first term. Carlton then had 10 shots in the second term for a poor return of 2.6, while the Bulldogs scored 1.1 from their only two opportunities. When the second half began, the Doggies found their range and booted 5 goals straight in a dominant third term. The Blues managed three of their own, but five other attempts resulted in only one score - a point. During time-on in a frantic last quarter, Ken Hands dropped a crucial mark in the teeth of goal. Had he held on to it and kicked straight, he would have put the Blues in front. But that was not to be, and the visitors held on for a deserved win.

Various newspaper reports before and after this game:

"Carlton will open the season without six players who appeared in last year's semi-final, and with an almost entirely new goal-to-goal line."

"Selectors last night named Echuca sharpshooter Noel "Nobby" O'Brien as full forward, hoping he will be granted a one-day permit by Echuca. If he is not cleared, Tony Walsh, cleared by Geelong to Carlton, and named as 19th man, will play full-forward."

"Acrobat Keith Warburton suddenly appeared, head and shoulders above the pack in the second quarter, to tap the back backward, and then lie straight in mid-air for a finger-tip mark."

Team

B: 15 Bruce Comben 5 Alex Boyle 31 Brian Molony
HB: 16 John Brown 14 Vin English 4 Doug Guy
C: 34 A. Max Thomas 7 Keith Warburton 11 Laurie Kerr
HF: 10 John James 18 Max Wenn 17 Doug Beasy
F: 2 Bill Milroy 12 Tony Walsh 32 Jack Spencer
Ruck: 1 Ken Hands (c) 13 Jack Howell (vc) 9 Jack Mills
Res: 19 Don Calder 28 Jack Hosking
Coach: Percy Bentley


Best

Kerr, James, Wenn, Beasy, Spencer, Mills

Milestones

Debuts: Max Wenn, John James, Alex Boyle
Debut and Only Game: Jack Hosking
Debut (Carlton): Tony Walsh


1953 | Round 2
Contributors to this page: Grisdesa , Bombasheldon , PatsFitztrick , blueycarlton , molsey , Jarusa , WillowBlue , camelboy , steve and admin .
Page last modified on Wednesday 15 of February, 2017 18:23:40 AEDT by Grisdesa.

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