Game Review

For the second week in a row, Carlton’s clever small forward Vin Gardiner booted four goals when the Navy Blues beat their traditional rivals Fitzroy by 11 points at the Brunswick St Oval. On a cold and wet Melbourne Saturday afternoon, the Blueboys honoured their captain Fred Elliott’s 100th game by snatching victory with a big third quarter. Fitzroy matched the ladder-leaders throughout an even first half, before visiting coach Jack Worrall made some astute positional changes and his team lifted for their 13th win in a remarkable season. Apart from Gardiner, Carlton was well-served by Elliott, Hammond, McGregor, Lang, Payne and Clark.

And just to make this victory a little sweeter, Collingwood all but guaranteed the Blues another minor premiership by knocking over second-placed Essendon at Victoria Park. In another round of surprise results, Melbourne forward Vin Coutie kicked 8 goals as the Redlegs skittled St Kilda, Geelong won just their second game of the year by beating Richmond, and University hung on to defeat a fast-finishing South Melbourne. The Navy Blues remained on top of the ladder with a percentage of 173.6, while the scrap over third and fourth ladder positions was now well and truly on between St Kilda, Melbourne, South Melbourne, Collingwood and University.

Team

Changes

In: H.Kelly
Out: G.Topping

Milestones

100 Games: Fred Elliott
Last Game (Carlton): Bill Marchbank