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Match Report
Round 1 · 1956
67vs39

9.13·5.9

ESSENDON won by 28
DateSaturday · 14 April 1956
VenueWindy Hill
Attendance30,000
Margin28 pts
By the Quarter

Quarter-by-Quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Essendon
1.3
9
4.6
30
7.9
51
9.13
67
67
Carlton
1.1
7
4.1
25
4.7
31
5.9
39
39
The Match

Match Report

Umpire: Nash.

Goalkickers: B.Crowe 1, G.Gilchrist 1, L.Kerr 1 J.Mills 1, F.Munro 1.

Reports: Injuries: James (cramp) replaced by Bosustow second quarter. Gilchrist (cramp) replaced by Munro final quarter. Clarke (back injury)



Game Review

The Blues welcomed 3 new players for season 1956 and bade farewell to stalwart Ron Robertson.
The game started well for the Blues and their pace and handball left the opposition standing. However, the visitors attacks consistently broke down on the half forward line. Donaldson was switched from full forward to centre-half forward to overcome this problem, but after this move, the ball was rarely on the Blues forward line.
Carlton were still in the game into the third quarter when Essendon's rucks got on top and gave the Dons the winning run.

Carlton coach Jim Francis;

"Essendon handled the gusty conditions well, but we were put off balance, and our kicking was astray. Our rucks held their own, with Garra and Clarke doing well, but Essendon's half-back line was too strong for us. We missed Nobby O'Brien at full forward and John James' withdrawal because of cramp in the second quarter was a big blow."

Scorers; Crowe 1.3, Mills 1.1, Kerr 1.0, Muro 1.0, Gilchrist 1.0, Donaldson 0.2, Beasy 0.2, Robertson 0.1. In addition 8 shots at goal failed to score.
Best; Webster, Beasy, Garra, Robinson, Clarke, Chick.

Team

B: 15 Bruce Comben 6 Keith Robinson 14 Vin English
HB: 19 Denis Zeunert 3 Peter Webster 10 John James
C: 23 John Chick 17 Doug Beasy 11 Laurie Kerr (vc)
HF: 28 Graham Gilchrist 34 Bob Crowe 21 Ron Robertson
F: 16 Kevin Clarke 13 Graham Donaldson 9 Jack Mills
Ruck: 1 Ken Hands (c) 24 Vic Garra 36 Kevin Bergin
Res: 4 Bob Bosustow 22 Frank Munro
Coach: Jim Francis

Milestones

Debut: Vic Garra
Debut (Carlton): Kevin Clarke and Keith Robinson
Last Game: Ron Robertson

Plastic Numbers

"A new type of plastic numbers worn by St.Kilda were easy to read, except when they caught the sun and shone like a mirror." (Argus April 16 p18)

Footnote

Essendon have not lost an opening home match since 1930 (Argus April 16 p18)

By the Numbers

Player Statistics

Carlton

#PlayerKIHBDIMKGLBHGAIFMIUPBOTKRB1%FFFACPCMCLCGHOBR%P
9Jack MillsJack Mills----1------------------
11Laurie KerrLaurie Kerr----1------------------
28Graham GilchristGraham Gilchrist----1------------------
34Bob CroweBob Crowe----1------------------
36Frank MunroFrank Munro----1------------------
Team Total----5------------------
Team Average----1.0------------------

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