| Venue: Windy Hill | Date: Saturday April 14, 1956 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Result: Lose by 28 points | Umpire: Nash. | Crowd: 30,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goalkickers: B.Crowe 1, G.Gilchrist 1, L.Kerr 1 J.Mills 1, F.Munro 1. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: | Injuries: James (cramp) replaced by Bosustow second quarter. Gilchrist (cramp) replaced by Munro final quarter. Clarke (back injury) | |||||||||||||||||||
Game Review
The Blues welcomed 3 new players for season 1956 and bade farewell to stalwart Ron Robertson.The game started well for the Blues and their pace and handball left the opposition standing. However, the visitors attacks consistently broke down on the half forward line. Donaldson was switched from full forward to centre-half forward to overcome this problem, but after this move, the ball was rarely on the Blues forward line.
Carlton were still in the game into the third quarter when Essendon's rucks got on top and gave the Dons the winning run.
Carlton coach Jim Francis;
"Essendon handled the gusty conditions well, but we were put off balance, and our kicking was astray. Our rucks held their own, with Garra and Clarke doing well, but Essendon's half-back line was too strong for us. We missed Nobby O'Brien at full forward and John James' withdrawal because of cramp in the second quarter was a big blow."Scorers; Crowe 1.3, Mills 1.1, Kerr 1.0, Muro 1.0, Gilchrist 1.0, Donaldson 0.2, Beasy 0.2, Robertson 0.1. In addition 8 shots at goal failed to score.
Best; Webster, Beasy, Garra, Robinson, Clarke, Chick.
Team
| B: | 15 Bruce Comben | 6 Keith Robinson | 14 Vin English |
| HB: | 19 Denis Zeunert | 3 Peter Webster | 10 John James |
| C: | 23 John Chick | 17 Doug Beasy | 11 Laurie Kerr (vc) |
| HF: | 28 Graham Gilchrist | 34 Bob Crowe | 21 Ron Robertson |
| F: | 16 Kevin Clarke | 13 Graham Donaldson | 9 Jack Mills |
| Ruck: | 1 Ken Hands (c) | 24 Vic Garra | 36 Kevin Bergin |
| Res: | 4 Bob Bosustow | 22 Frank Munro | |
| Coach: | Jim Francis | ||
Milestones
Debut: Vic GarraDebut (Carlton): Kevin Clarke and Keith Robinson
Last Game: Ron Robertson
Plastic Numbers
"A new type of plastic numbers worn by St.Kilda were easy to read, except when they caught the sun and shone like a mirror." (Argus April 16 p18)Footnote
Essendon have not lost an opening home match since 1930 (Argus April 16 p18)1956 | Round 2