| Venue: Princes Park | Date: Saturday August 14, 1937 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Result: Win by 10 points | Umpire: Morgan | Crowd: 12,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goalkickers: A. Shields 2.0, G. Collard 2.0, E. Huxtable 2.0, H. Vallence 1.5, J. Wrout 1.4, A. Clarke 1.2, J. Carney 1.1, B. Green 1.1, R. Cooper 1.0, P. Farrelly 0.1, M. Crisp 0.1, Rushed 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Best: E. Huxtable, R. McLean, G. Collard, J. Carney, B. Green, J. Park | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: | Injuries: G. Collard (sprained ankle) replaced by N. Cashin in final quarter. | |||||||||||||||||||
Game Review
With so much on the line for both sides, it was surprising that fifth placed St Kilda and sixth placed Carlton played such a dull and uninteresting game at Princes Park. Neither side looked particularly finals worthy with skill errors evident from both sides. After an inaccurate and uncoordinated first half, the Blues came good after the main break to record a ten point victory and move to fifth place.Carlton players were determined to finish the season well and Tuesday’s training was conducted with enthusiasm and vigour. Ron Cooper’s poisoned hand was healing well and he was expected to play, but Horrie Bullen (knee) was doubtful. Fred Ayers (hand) trained steadily and Kevin Fox (knee) did light work. Rod McLean and a young recruit named Mason collided during training, resulting in a badly bruised thigh for Mason. On Thursday, only Mick Crisp (jury duty), Jim Francis (work commitments) and Bullen did not train. Three changes were made to the side. Keith Shea and Jack Hale were still interstate at the AFC Carnival and Fred Gilby was omitted. Crisp, Cooper and Norm Cashin, as 19th man were brought in.
Carlton had first use of the breeze but it was St Kilda that did all the early attacking, coming off strong ruck work and good position play. However, sterling work by Huxtable, Francis and Crisp prevented any scoring. Play was congested and scrappy but Crisp was doing well and started several attacks. He gave Shields a chance for goal but Shields’ shot went wide for a behind. Once again, the Blues were off target and by the time that Wrout kicked the first goal with a beautiful drop kick, albeit from a doubtful mark, Carlton had a solitary goal on the scoreboard from seven scoring shots. For such an important game, play was dull and uninspiring. Both sides showed lack of skills, but Carlton was particularly lethargic and lacked any system. By contrast, the Saints were more purposeful and direct in their play and gained their first goal after the umpire missed a blatant shove in the back to Gill. Better play followed and a great pass to their full forward resulted in goal number two for St Kilda. Carlton rebounded strongly and a chain of passes involving Green, McLean and Vallence was let down by a futile short pass which allowed St Kilda to clear and lead by two points at quarter time.
From the bounce, St Kilda attacked and a long snapped kick gained their third goal. Despite the scores, Anderson, Park and Chitty were defending well and rebounding through Carney and Green on the wings. They were providing plenty of drive forward, using Vallence as the focal point, but several of his shots raised only behinds. From a kick-out following one of these, Green gained the ball and found Cooper. He passed nicely to Collard for a goal to the Blues. Carlton’s third goal came following a fine pack mark by Vallence who kicked accurately; the goal bringing his tally to one goal four behinds. Farrelly had a chance for another but missed a sitter for a behind. Fourteen scoring shots for only three goals was a good indication of Carlton’s poor forward play. St Kilda showed how it should be done; direct forward play and accurate passing bringing two goals. A long snap, following another fine pass, gave their sixth goal. A brilliant 40 yard solo effort deserved more than a behind for the Saints, but they made up for it with their seventh goal from a free kick. Definitely the better side so far, St Kilda deserved their 17 point lead at half time. Lack of teamwork and coordination and atrocious kicking had cost Carlton severely. McLean, Carney, Huxtable, and Green were Carlton’s best for the half.
On resumption, Huxtable was moved into the centre and Crisp went to the forward line, a move which had instant success. After alternating thrusts forward by both sides, Carney flashed around the half forward flank and goaled with a running drop kick. Carlton was now showing more determination and teamwork and the drive gained from the centre was allowing the forwards to establish their system. The Blues were directing their attacks through Huxtable, whose driving kicks and straight ahead play was reaping rewards. A fine advance involving Huxtable, Cooper and Wrout brought only a behind, but Green, on the other flank to Carney, kicked better and raised Carlton’s fifth goal with a running shot. St Kilda, less dominant than before, fought back strongly and snapped their eighth goal out of a pack. Cooper lit the spark that was needed and was the instigator of three goals for Carlton. Already worrying St Kilda with his work around the packs and his ability to get loose, he goaled. Then, he handballed to Huxtable who dropkicked a goal on the run, to give Carlton the lead. Cooper capped off his work, receiving from Crisp and passing to Clarke. His shot was marked on a tight angle by Collard, who deftly passed to Shields for the eighth goal for an eight point lead at the final change. The earlier indecision and inaccuracy had gone; Carlton’s improved play bringing improved kicking.
The final quarter was the best for the day, with both sides having their chances to win. Into attack early, Vallence lost a chance when he attempted to play on, and an erratic pass turned the ball over. Regaining the ball, Gill drove forward to Huxtable but his running shot went out on the full. Carlton was finally rewarded when a good snap by Clarke scored full points, giving a fourteen point lead. The Saints kept trying but now inaccuracy was costing them; behinds coming when goals were needed. Persistent efforts resulted in a good mark in front and a St Kilda goal, cutting the deficit to just six points. The game hung in the balance with supporters roaring their encouragement. Collard gave Carlton the break they needed, passing neatly to Shields who goaled. Collard was involved again, taking a great mark from a kick by Park and kicking truly for a goal. Unfortunately, he sprained his ankle taking the mark and limped off, being replaced by Cashin. Huxtable sealed the game with a running drop kick to cap off a fine game from him. Four goals straight for Carlton was a marked contrast to their earlier efforts. St Kilda came late with two goals, the first from a mark and the other on the run but it was too late and Carlton ran out victors by ten points.
With this win, Carlton leapfrogged St Kilda and moved into fifth place with a percentage of 109.85. Richmond sat in fourth spot, a game and a half ahead. Next week Carlton was up against Collingwood in a must win game.
The Age reported that, while at the AFC Carnival in Perth, Keith Shea had been approached by several West Australian clubs seeking his services for 1938 and that he was close to accepting one of these.
Team
| B: | 2 Don McIntyre | 21 Frank Gill | 26 Jim Park |
| HB: | 9 Eric Huxtable | 10 Jim Francis (vc) | 33 Bob Chitty |
| C: | 7 Jack Carney | 12 Creswell 'Mickey' Crisp | 32 Bob Green |
| HF: | 1 Frank Anderson | 25 Arch Shields | 22 Harry Vallence |
| F: | 13 George Collard | 28 Jack Wrout | 31 Ansell Clarke (c) |
| Ruck: | 14 Rod McLean | 20 Pat Farrelly | 19 Ron Cooper |
| 19th Man: | 4 Norm Cashin | ||
| Coach: | Percy Rowe | ||
Milestones
100 VFL Games: Jack CarneyLast Game : Norm Cashin
Round 15 | Round 17