Umpire: Noseda

Goalkickers: J.Wells 2, N.Bowen 1, V.Gardiner 1, R.Johnson 1, J.Marchbank 1.

Reports: Injuries: J.Marchbank (sprained knee), T.Hanson (minor injury), F.Elliott (stitches required to gash over left eye), J.Wells (knocked unconscious, later returned to the field)

Game Review

Amended rules for 1911 saw boundary umpires instructed to face the boundary fence when throwing the ball into play, and players now would be free-kicked if they stepped inside the centre circle prior to, or when the umpire bounced the ball.

Essendon kicked down the slope to the railway goal and quickly scored a behind.
New man Ned Bowen repulsed an attack and dashed down field, he got the ball to the other newcomer Tom Hanson who enabled Jim Marchbank to goal. The home side dominated the remainder of the quarter but could only manage six behinds. At quarter-time Carlton trailed by 6 points, 1.1 - 1.7
Vin Gardiner's shot just missed but he made amends moments later when he scored the Blues' second goal. Then Jack Wells' long kick from an angle scored the third goal. Debutant Roy Johnson kicked Carlton's fourth. Close to half time the Blues slackened the pressure and the Dons added three behinds. At the break Carlton led by 14 points, 4.6 - 1.10
Essendon attacked for most of the quarter and added two goals and a couple of behinds to hit the front, and kept the Blues scoreless. Carlton trailed by 2 points, 4.6 - 3.14
Within a few minutes of the start of the final term, Jack Wells snapped the Blues fifth goal and then Ned Bowen scored the sixth. Essendon then took charge and goaled, adding a behind they led by two points with just two minutes to play. The exhausted Blues doggedly stuck to their guns and managed a couple of behinds to equalise the scores, 6.9 - 5.15

Jack Worrall, Carlton's triple premiership coach, had joined the Same Olds after a year away from coaching. His first appointment with his new club pitted him against his former charges at his new East Melbourne home.

A titanic battle ensued. Essendon's poor kicking for goal allowed the Blues to hold sway throughout the first half before the Same Olds forged to the lead in the third quarter. Late in the last quarter Carlton's Jack Wells twice had opportunities to snatch back the game but 2 behinds resulted, and the match finished in a tie.

After this round Carlton were 6th on the ladder, with a percentage of 100.0.

Blues' Bruce Campbell and Rod McGregor
Image: Weekly Times May 06 (p28)

Team

Milestones

Debuts: Ned Bowen, Bruce Campbell and Roy Johnson
Debut (Carlton): Harry Matheson and Charlie Taylor
Debut and Only Game: Tom Hanson
First Game (Against us as Coach): Jack Worrall