| Venue: VFL Park Waverley | Date: Saturday March 28, 1981 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Result: Win by 62 points | Umpires: W.Deller & K.Smith | Crowd: 56,372 Receipts:$130,429 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goalkickers: G.Wells 4, P.McConville 3, A.Marcou 3, M.Fitzpatrick 2, P.Bosustow 2, P.Maylin 2, R.Ashman 2, M.Maclure 2, W.Jones 1, P.Francis 1. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Best: B.Doull, A.Marcou, P.Bosustow, R.Ashman, G.Wells, R.Austin, V.Perovic, K.Hunter, W.Jones. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: Nil | Injuries: R.Ashman (broken nose) | |||||||||||||||||||
Game Review
The 1979 Premiers played the 1980 Premiers to begin season 1981, and the Blues destroyed their arch enemies in this Match of the Day at Waverley. Carlton controlled the game throughout, and annihilated the Tigers with a 9-goal final term.
Almost as important as this muscle-flexing was the debut of two future champions in Ken Hunter and Peter Bosustow who had crossed from the West to start the season. With the addition of Mario Bortolotto, a few key planks were added to Carlton structure as the Blues built toward the glory of the 1981-82 Premiership double. Another handy addition from Bendigo in Denis Lenaghan also started his VFL career in this game.
Carlton's 1981 interstate pair; Ken Hunter and Peter Bosustow, made extremely impressive VFL debuts. The two Western Australians adapted quickly to the hectic tempo of Victorian football, and were among Carlton's best players in the Blues magnificent 62-point victory against reigning premiers Richmond. Bosustow added much-needed bite to the Blues attack, and had a hand in about six goals with intelligent play. He's a lively player and not afraid to use a bit of vigour - just the type of player Carlton lacked last season. Hunter looks unfashionable out on the field with his socks rolled down, but he's an extremely effective defender. He was a real stumbling block for the Tigers right throughout the match. There is no doubt that Carlton is going to stay a force in the League for years to come because of their astute recruiting officers. - Tony Greenberg Inside Football
Carlton combined well under new coach David Parkin to defeat 1980 premiers Richmond by 10 goals. Peter Bosustow was at his brilliant best for the Blues while Michael Roach kicked six goals for the Tigers. - Football Record.
The VFL season started in spectacular style when defending premier Richmond crashed against Carlton at VFL Park. The Tigers, who had won the 1980 flag by a record margin of 81 points, copped a 62-point hiding from Carlton. It was a triumphant start at Princes Park for former Hawthorn coach David Parkin after a dismal practice match series, and it showed Victorians just how well the Blues had recruited in the off-season by securing West Australians Ken Hunter and Peter Bosustow. - Mike Sheehan The Herald.
Team
| B: | 27 Des English | 20 Geoff Southby (vc) | 9 Ken Hunter |
| HB: | 22 Robbert Klomp | 15 Val Perovic | 11 Bruce Doull |
| C: | 13 Phil Maylin | 1 Greg Wells | 47 Peter Francis |
| HF: | 33 Peter McConville | 36 Mark Maclure | 12 Barry Armstrong |
| F: | 2 Warren 'Wow' Jones | 4 Peter Bosustow | 34 Alex Marcou |
| Ruck: | 3 Mike Fitzpatrick (c) | 21 Rod Austin | 14 Rod Ashman |
| Interchange: | 6 Mario Bortolotto | 35 Denis Lenaghan | |
| Coach: | David Parkin | ||
Milestones
Debuts: Ken Hunter, Peter Bosustow, Denis LenaghanDebut (Carlton): Mario Bortolotto
1981 | Round 2