Umpire: Batt

Goalkickers: M.Crisp 3, J.Cooper 3, J.Cashman 2, A.Clarke 2, R.Cooper 1, M.Johnson 1, T.Pollock 1, K.Shea 1, H.Vallence 1.

Best: R. Cooper, E. Huxtable, J. Francis, T. Ogden, F. Gilby, J. Kelly

Game Review

Footscray's Alby Morrison kicked 8 goals in a valiant solo effort, but the Blues led continuously after half time due to Footscray's failure to adapt to the wet conditions and ran out comfortable winners by 24 points over a spirited and determined opposition. On debut after crossing from Hawthorn, future Carlton legend Jim Francis controlled the centre, and demonstrated his class by bringing many of his new team-mates into the game.

Only two changes were made to the side on Thursday night. Bob Green was out with strained leg ligaments and Horrie Bullen was omitted. Jim Francis was named in the centre for his first game and Harold Maskell was to be 19th man.

In overcast conditions, Johnson won the toss for Carlton and chose to kick to the railway end. Footscray, playing dashing football, was into attack early but Gill repelled both, before their account opened with a behind after hitting the post. A snap goal gave the tricolours their first goal. Carlton’s opening goal came from Clarke, after some good assistance from Shea. A free kick to Crisp provided the second goal. The game was fast and entertaining and the sides evenly matched. A fine rally from Footscray provided their second goal, but Jack Cooper replied straight away after receiving a free kick close in. Late in the term, Vallence kicked Carton’s fourth goal to give a 14 point lead at the first change.

Jack Cooper opened the quarter with a fine mark over two opponents and kicked truly. Footscray was attacking well but letting themselves down in front of goal, with four missed chances so far. A brilliant chain of handballs between Vallence, Ron Cooper and Johnson resulted in the sixth Carlton goal and a handy lead. However, Footscray steadied and kicked two quick goals and another poster. Footscray now took control of the game, winning in the air and in ground play and Carlton’s defence was under great pressure, with only Huxtable and Gilby playing well. Another Footscray goal came after a fine pass. Carlton rallied, but three attacks were repelled before Jack Cooper goaled after a timely mark. Footscray replied with a goal following a chain of passes and took the lead when a strong mark over Gill was converted into goal number seven. Pollock levelled the scores with a behind from a 60 yard drop kick. A mark and goal to Cashman late in the term restored the Carlton lead and two behinds, one from an easy miss by Ron Cooper who had played brilliantly for the half, gave the Blues a lead of eight points at the main break.

The rain which had threatened all day commenced during the half time interval and continued for the rest of the game. Footscray was first to score with a nice snap goal, with the ball bouncing through, bringing the scores close. Vallence passed to Crisp for a goal to restore the lead, and it was obvious that Carlton had adapted to the wet conditions better than their opponents. They were playing a soccering, smothering game and keeping the ball low when kicking. Footscray, on the other hand, were still playing dry weather football, kicking high and attempting to mark the greasy ball. Repeated attacks from Carlton brought three behinds, before a fingertip grab from Cashman resulted in a driving pass to Ron Cooper who snapped the tenth goal. The Blues were now well on top and a nice move around the flank brought up Shea’s first goal. A countermove from Footscray saw an easy chance missed. From the rebound, Ron Cooper’s good reading of the play and fine handball to Clarke resulted in goal twelve. Carlton were attacking as the bell sounded for a comfortable 31 point lead at three-quarter time.

Footscray opened the scoring with a 50 yard running punt kick for a goal. Francis had been good all day for Carlton and was winning in the centre, but the Tricolours were still pressing home attacks from the middle. A free kick gave them their tenth goal, but Ron Cooper steadied and passed to Pollock whose long shot went through. Cashman restored the ¾ time scores with a mark in front and a goal. Although comfortable now, Carlton continued to press home attacks and Crisp goaled after a clever pick up and running goal. Two late goals to Footscray made the scoreboard look a little closer at the final bell to end a fine game.

At the end of this round Carlton were in 2nd spot on the ladder with a percentage of 123.5.

Team

Milestones

Debut: Jim Francis