Umpire: Blackburn

Goalkickers: J.Cashman 3, H.Vallence 2, K.Shea 2, R.Cooper 1, M.Crisp 1, C.Davey 1, G.Dougherty 1, N.Le Brun 1, J.Park 1, C.Turner 1.

Best: R. Cooper, F. Gill, C. Turner, J. Cashman, C. Davey, M. Crisp

Reports: Injuries: W. Mutimer (bruised shoulder), F. Anderson (bruised eye), J. Hale (sprained wrist)

Game Review

In a stirring and robust encounter, Carlton recovered from a slow start to lead at various stages of a thriller at Princes Park. Remarkably, the scores were exactly level (goals and behinds) eight times during the game. Despite a lead of 12 points with only ten minutes remaining, a depleted Geelong side refused to lie down and snapped a goal with the last kick of the game to win by one goal.

On the Wednesday prior to the game, Carlton appointed Charlie Davey as captain, with Mickey Crisp named as his deputy. Jack Cashman was appointed as the players’ representative on the committee. Among new faces at training were Clete Turner from Fitzroy, Norm Le Brun from Collingwood, and young tyros Rod McLean and Harry Hollingshead. All but Hollingshead were named in the side to play in the opener against Geelong.

Kicking with a strong breeze to the grandstand end, two quick goals to Geelong gave them the ascendancy early before Cooper provided opportunities for Vallence and Le Brun to score. Several other attacks started by Cooper and Green were repelled by Geelong’s defence. Geelong, using their weight to advantage and playing with greater pace and cohesion, had Carlton’s defence rattled and under enormous pressure. Winning in the ruck and playing a long kicking game, Geelong was well on top; only Cooper and Shea and Carlton’s good marking were keeping the Blues in the game. By quarter time, Geelong had established a lead of three goals, which could have been greater but for some fumbling near goal and missing several chances. Their only sour note was that they had already lost a player with a broken collarbone.

A different Carlton emerged after the break. Matching Geelong’s vigour and combining well in the forward line, Carlton quickly adopted a long kicking strategy. Goals to Cooper, Turner, Crisp and Cashman gave the Blues a four point lead after ten minutes. Geelong recovered to level the scores at 7-5 each but more Carlton attacks led to three goals, including one to Vallence, following a magnificent mark. A great quarter had seen a 32 point turnaround for a lead of 14 points at the main break. Good for Carlton in the first half were Cooper, Cashman, Gill, Turner, Green and Crisp.

With the breeze again, Geelong, showing great determination and speed, quickly kicked two goals to level the scores. Attacking relentlessly, Geelong were again well on top. Gill and Hale were defending nobly but under constant siege. Carlton were sluggish and the few attacks they mounted were foiled by poor, crowded play. Geelong scored their eleventh goal from a kick which skidded through an unguarded goal, giving a six point lead. Another goal soon after established a thirteen point lead. But a late Carlton rally, with Davey and Cashman marking splendidly enabled Shea and Le Brun to score goals to leave only the smallest deficit at the last change. Geelong was dealt a severe blow near the bell when another defender had to leave the field, leaving them with only 17 men for the last quarter.

Making full use of the breeze and the loose man, Carlton attacked and Park, now playing forward, goaled to give the Blues the lead. Geelong were playing dogged football but several hurried shots went wide. In a ten minute offensive, only four behinds were scored. A goal to Cashman and three behinds to Hale, Crisp and Cooper established a two goal lead with only ten minutes left to play. The game was very tough, with several players on both sides receiving treatment from trainers at different stages. Despite being a man down, Geelong seemed to be finishing better and mounted some fierce onslaughts at goal. Tremendous excitement ensued when Geelong missed an easy shot but seconds later goaled with a place kick, following a fine mark. A couple of Carlton defenders were guilty of loose checking, allowing the Cats in. The brilliant Cooper responded and mounted a single handed attack, running from the centre to just miss. Another Geelong attack, around the outer wing, brought a goal to level the scores at 14-17 apiece. A quick snap shortly after gave them a one point lead late in the term. Not done with, two Carlton attacks were repelled, before Francis with a long run kicked to Shea, who received a free only twenty yards out. His kick shaved the post for a behind to level the scores. At fever pitch, the crowd were relishing a great game, urging their sides on. With only seconds remaining, Geelong stormed forward and a lightning-fast snap at goal brought the winning goal; the bell sounding shortly after to end a great opening game of the season.

At the end of this round Carlton were in 9th spot on the ladder with a percentage of 94.4.

Team

Milestones

Debut: Rod McLean
Debut (Carlton): Norm Le Brun and Clete Turner

Sun News 29 April P2