Umpires: N.Nash & K.Smith

Goalkickers: V.Catoggio 3, P.McConville 3, W.Johnston 2, M.Maclure 2, A.Marcou 1, D.McKay 1

Best; B.Doull, R.Austin, R.Klomp, V.Perovic, P.McConville, G.Southby

Reports: Nil

Injuries: Nil

Game Review

A controversial loss. Terry Bright's winning goal should perhaps have been a free kick to Carlton.

Carlton's David McKay is one of the most modest footballers in the VFL. Yet even McKay would have liked his "glory" to last a little longer on Saturday. McKay, of course kicked the goal that gave Carlton the lead over Geelong with just two minutes to play. However, Geelong's Terry Bright goaled almost on the siren to give the Cats a five point victory. "I didn't get much time to take in the glory", McKay signed after the match. "I thought it was too good to be true". - Jim Main Inside Football.

Geelong is throwing out the most serious threat to others in the five and rose to third place when it defeated Carlton by five points in a cliff-hanger finish at Kardinia Park. The first time these teams met this season there was only 5 points in the result and it was just as close again with a controversial, but final goal by Terry Bright giving the Cats a victory. Bright's kick bounced through but many spectators felt his teammate Glen Middlemiss had infringed by holding back Carlton full-back Geoff Southby. - Football Record.

The defining moment of this game was the controversial last-minute free kick not paid to Geoff Southby. He was clearly illegally held, and prevented from stopping a Geelong shot on goal bouncing through for the goal that won the match. Says Southby:

"Glen Middlemiss was the full forward at the time. It was in time-on in the last quarter and the scores were very close. Kardinia Park was at fever pitch with almost 30,000 people, mostly Cats supporters in attendance. Glen almost had my leg in a bear hug for want of a better description, which significantly retarded my ability to get to the footy as it was rolling through the goal square on it's way to goal. I appealed to the near-by Umpire Neville Nash who I thought had a clear view of the incident. I appealed to him with my hand in the air saying "Neville. You must have seen that" (or words to that effect). The Geelong supporters were screaming with delight as the ball went through, putting the Cats in front on the scoreboard with only a couple of minutes to go in the game. The umpire ignored my appeal. A very sensible decision I believe, as the Geelong supporters would have probably lynched him if he had paid the obvious free kick to me. The siren rang soon after without any addition to the score. It was a long trip back from Geelong that evening. And I am not "pulling your leg" like Glen Middlemiss did to me!"

Team

Video