Umpire: B.Deller

Goalkickers: S.Jackson 5, A.Jesaulenko 5, P.Jones 3, J.Nicholls 2, A.Gallagher 2, N.Chandler 1.

Best: A.Jesaulenko, S.Jackson, V.Waite, D.McKay, J.Nicholls, B.Gill.

Reports: Nil.

Injuries: K.Hall (twisted ankle) replaced by P.Pinnell in third quarter, B.Gill (pulled hamstring) repaced by N.Chandler at three quarter time, A.Jesaulenko (lacerated finger). I.Robertson (bruised nose)

Game Review

This was Carlton’s first-ever round 21 match - played against Footscray at Princes Park on the Saturday afternoon of August 22, 1970. By that stage of the season, the top four teams were Collingwood, Carlton, St Kilda and South Melbourne, with only the order of the finalists yet to be decided. Our clash with the seventh-placed Bulldogs was a definite danger game for the Blues – after all, they had beaten us impressively earlier in the year, and they had a match-winner in Bernie “Superboot” Quinlan at full-forward. But Carlton also had a star in the goal square in Alex Jesaulenko, and the 21,568 spectators who filed through the turnstiles on that brisk winter afternoon were treated to a brilliant exhibition of forward play by both sides.
Carlton led 10.6 (66) to the Dogs’ accurate 9.1 (55) at half time, with both Jesaulenko and Quinlan on top for their respective teams. When the Blues launched their trademark third-quarter blitz, it was inspired by the pace and precision kicking of Syd Jackson, whose three scintillating goals from a half-forward flank set up a very handy 22-point advantage for his team at the last break. Quinlan then inspired a Bulldogs’ counter-attack with some telling marks, and two long bombs that sailed through for full points. Although they never really threatened to overhaul the Blues, clinical accuracy kept the Bulldogs in contention right through to the final siren, which saw Carlton; 18.14 (122) account for Footscray, 17.6 (108) by 14 points. Jesaulenko, Jackson and Quinlan all finished the game with five majors apiece, and the Blues tightened their grip on second ladder position.

Team