| Venue: Brunswick St | Date: June 2, 1934 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Result: Lose by 15 points | Umpire: Blackburn | Crowd: 26,500 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Best: E. Huxtable, F. Gill, J. Hale, K. Shea, M. Crisp, J. Cashman | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Goalkickers: M.Crisp 3, J.Cashman 2, H.Vallence 2, A.Clarke 1, J.Cooper 1, G.Dougherty 1, H.Maskell 1, K.Shea 1. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: | Injuries: R.Cooper (arm, no damage) J.Hale (slipped cartilage, knee) | |||||||||||||||||||
Game Review
Hampered by the late withdrawals of key players, Carlton faded in the final quarter, eventually losing to Fitzroy by 15 points. The Blues’ rugged play wasn’t enough to combat the Maroons’ speed and brilliance.Carlton announced only one change on Thursday night, Joe Kelly into the side and Jim Crowe omitted. Also on the Thursday night, teammates made a presentation of a cutlery set to injured skipper Maurie Johnson, who was to be married on Saturday.
Two late changes were announced before the game. Charlie Davey and Ted Pollock would miss, with knee and ankle injuries respectively. Jim Park and George Dougherty (for his debut game) were the inclusions, with Joe Kelly as the acting captain. Fitzroy were on the scoreboard early, with a snap goal in the first 30 seconds. Shea, with dashing play, made the first Carlton attack but the Fitzroy defence repelled well. With their fast and brilliant play, Fitzroy was well on top. Their centreline was producing many attacks and Carlton was being outplayed all over. Both sides were using weight freely. Two more goals were scored by the Maroons, before good play from Crisp got the ball forward and Vallence goaled from a free kick. Fitzroy responded immediately with a great burst which resulted in three goals in four minutes from smart determined play. At the 20 minute mark, Fitzroy led by 32 points. Carlton produced a late rally, with a snap goal to Shea from a difficult angle, following good work from Clarke and Crisp. Another from Jack Cooper, also on an angle, made the deficit 19 points at quarter time.
After the break, Carlton were determined to break Fitzroy’s rhythm, with bustling, rugged play. A Fitzroy goal was scored, but they missed some early chances and should have been further ahead. Cashman was playing well against his old club and he and Little combined to allow Crisp to kick Carlton’s fourth goal. The Blues had now settled and were attacking relentlessly. Hale, Huxtable and Gill were playing well in defence and Shea and Crisp had come into the game. Cashman gave Clarke a chance and he made no mistake, running into an open goal. Then great play from Kelly and Shea gave Crisp the sixth goal. Fitzroy had faded; their early bright play and pace were gone. Carlton took a one point lead after Kelly, Little and Ron Cooper worked the ball forward and Crisp goaled. Fitzroy responded, with a long flanking drive and a goal after evading Gill. Another Maroon goal followed, before Carlton attacked again, but Vallence missed two direct shots. A late goal to Maskell meant the Blues trailed by three points at the main break.
Fitzroy commenced the second half with a behind soon after the resumption. Carlton’s ninth goal came from a ball-up not far from goal and Vallence pounced and snapped truly. Fitzroy responded straight away. It was a great game; Fitzroy’s pace versus Carlton’s great marking and strong pressure. That pressure was showing as Fitzroy missed an easy chance and Vallence kicked a behind from a gettable shot. It was clear that Carlton was gradually wearing the Maroons down. Huxtable, excellent all day, produced a great dash from defence and kicked to Shea but his shot went astray. Cashman put the Blues back in front with a goal but a late Fitzroy mark and goal made the scores level at the last change.
An early free against Gill gave Fitzroy their twelfth goal. Further attacks followed, but Gill, Huxtable, Hale and Jack Cooper were providing desperate defence. Play was very rough; at one point, two Fitzroy players and Jack Cooper were in the hands of the trainers. The Maroons were finishing strongly, attacking constantly, and another goal gave them a 14 point lead. Gill saved a certain goal with a mark in the goal square and Kelly sent the ball forward. A free kick to Cashman resulted in the eleventh goal and some hope for the Blues. It was desperate football. Fitzroy, although dominating the play, was being let down by a weak forward line. Dougherty reduced the deficit to four points with a goal after a fine pack mark. Then some great play gave the Maroons their 14th goal. Carlton hadn’t given up but two attacks were wasted when Shea and Vallence missed chances. A goal into time-on was the sealer for the Maroons and the final bell sounded with Fitzroy victorious by 15 points.
At the end of this round Carlton were in 7th spot on the ladder with a percentage of 101.8.
The Argus June 04 report on this match;
"Carlton was handicapped by the reshuffling of positions made necessary by the replacing of Davey and Pollock (injured) and Ogden by Kelly, Park, and Doherty."
Park was mentioned in the Australasian's match report June 09 1934 (p50)
Footnote
Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons attended the game and was entertained at half time by the Fitzroy Football Club.Team
| B: | 20 Alby De Luca | 21 Frank Gill | 35 George Dougherty |
| HB: | 9 Eric Huxtable | 24 Gordon Mackie | 11 Jack Hale |
| C: | 7 Joe Kelly (acting capt.) | 28 Eric Little | 32 Bob Green |
| HF: | 8 Keith Shea | 26 Jim Park | 12 Creswell 'Mickey' Crisp |
| F: | 33 Jack Cooper | 22 Harry Vallence | 31 Ansell Clarke |
| Ruck: | 4 Jack Cashman (acting vc) | 25 Harold Maskell | 19 Ron Cooper |
| 19th Man: | 27 Terry Ogden | ||
| Coach: | Dan Minogue | ||
Milestones
Debut: George DoughertyLast Game (Carlton): Eric Little
Round 4 | Round 6