Round 4, 1897

Carlton 1.1 7 1.1 7 2.2 14 3.4 22 Geelong 1.2 8 4.7 31 5.9 39 5.14 44
Venue:	Corio Oval
Date:	Saturday 29 May 1897
Result:	Loss by 22 points
Crowd:
Goalkickers:	W.Ocock 1.1, C.Breese 1.0, A.Cummins 1.0, J.Caffery 0.1, B.Cameron 0.1, rushed 0.1
Reports:
Umpire:	McCoy
Injuries:
Best:	J.Reekie, E.Walton, J.Lyons, B.Casey, B.Armstrong, J.Aitken, C.Breese, B.Hannah, S.Chapman.

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Game Review

Remarkably, three future Carlton captains represented Geelong in this round. Jim Flynn played on the half forward flank, Henry McShane was named on the wing and Joe McShane was their first ruckman.

The game was well controlled by umpire McCoy, and in good conditions a skilful contest eventuated. Geelong had the better of the first half, and should have wrapped the game up by the last break. However, they missed a number of gettable shots at goal, keeping the Blues in with a chance for most of the match. Carlton's midfielders proved to be too light for their physically stronger and more experienced counterparts, but they stuck to their task and never gave up in a promising effort.

At the end of this round Carlton were in 7th spot on the ladder with a percentage of 54.5.

Team

B:	Henry Dunne	Ernie Walton (vc)	Jim Lyons
HB:	Jimmy Aitken (c)	Bob Cameron	Jack Reekie
C:	Bill Casey	Peter Williams	Bob Armstrong
HF:	Sam Chapman	Bobby Walsh	Jim Caffery
F:	Henry McPetrie	Wally Ocock	Arthur Cummins
Rucks:	Harry H Morgan	Bill Woodhouse	Chic Breese
	Joe Paton
Rover:	Brook Hannah
Coach:	No coach and the captain directed the side
Note:	4 Rucks, 20 players on the ground and no interchange

Changes

In: B.Woodhouse, J.Lyons, H.Morgan, B.Walsh
Out: T.Blake, C.Sweatman, B.Weir, H.Howard

Milestones

Debuts: Jim Lyons (Parkville), Harry H Morgan (West Melbourne), and Bobby Walsh, who had previously played for Carlton in the VFA.
Records: This is the first match played between these two clubs
Footnote: Although this was the first VFL meeting between these clubs, Carlton and Geelong had been playing each other since 1867 in the Challenge Cup era and later in the VFA.
Records found so far indicate that they had met each other 45 times, with the Blues winning 15, losing 23, and drawing 7. (See Pre VFL)

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Round 3 | Round 5