Umpires: K.Smith & M.Dye

Goalkickers: M.Maclure 5, V.Catoggio 3, M.Fitzpatrick 3, K.Sheldon 2, W.Harmes 2, P.Jones 1, P.McConville 1, B.Armstrong 1.

Best: B.Armstrong, M.Fitzpatrick, R.Austin, G.Southby, A.Mangels, T.Keogh.

Reports: Bruce Doull (Striking Phil Manassa) - 2 Matches; Greg Towns (Striking Kevin Worthington) - Not Guilty.

Game Review

Played in front of jam-packed (46,000) Princes Park crowd, this game is best remembered for Stan Magro's shirtfront on Alex Jesaulenko - which inspired the Blues to a stirring come-from-behind victory. Percy Jones' celebrations as each goal sailed over his head underlined the joy the side got in beating our arch rival. One goal in particular, on the run from Wayne Harmes in front of the Social Club, sent old Percy into a real spin.

Bruce Doull was reported for the first time in his career - for striking Phil Manassa - and was suspended for two games. Manassa received a reprimand for striking Bruce, and was also found not guilty of striking Fitzpatrick. A second Magpie, Kevin Worthington, was suspended for 2 games for striking Fitzy.

All in all a pretty exciting afternoon. At half time the Collingwood supporters in front of the press box were crowing and carrying on as if it was all over. That aforementioned goal from Harmes came in the days when there was a gap between the Harris (Social Club) Stand and the Heatley Stand. The Collingwood contingent jumped for joy when the ball left Wayne's boot - convinced it would miss - only to see the breeze push the ball left and straight through the middle. It was an example of the home ground advantage that Telstra Dome unfortunately doesn't provide to us.

* The legend that Bruce Doull was as cool as a cucumber who only lost his....umm, cool, once against Hawthorn in the 1977 Night Grand Final can be laid to rest here, I believe. This instance, together with the 1977 incident, and a further episode in the 1972 Grand Final (where he clobbered a Richmond player) indicate that he was human after all, and knew how to dish it out occasionally!
1979 was also the year when Jezza used to throw the Flying Doormat up forward, often with success. It was something that Parkin, the conservative Hawthorn type, never tried.

To wrap up a good day all round for the Blues, North Melbourne played Hawthorn the next afternoon at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and lost by 51 points. After this weekend, Carlton was once again four points clear at the top of the VFL ladder.

Statistically Speaking
In the hectic clash at Princes Park, Carlton had a 12% advantage in kicks, 49% more marks and nearly 12% in handball and an amazing 95% control advantage in the ruck where Mike Fitzpatrick and Peter Jones held control. Fitzpatrick also had 14 kicks, and 11 marks. Other Carlton players among the best were Trevor Keogh with 35 disposals and Barry Armstrong with 25. - Ray Young Football Record.

Team

Milestones

250 Games: Alex Jesaulenko
100 Goals: Mark Maclure

Video