Umpires: K.Smith & V.Vasilou

Goalkickers: K.Hunter 8, P.Meldrum 3, P.Dean 2, S.Kourkoumelis 2, F.Murphy 2, J.Madden 1, W.Blackwell 1, S.Robertson 1, J.Buckley 1, P.McConville 1.

Best: K.Hunter, S.Kourkoumelis, J.Buckley, P.Meldrum,

Reports: Nil

Injuries: W.Blackwell (concussion). P.Dean replaced W.Johnston in the selected side.

Game Review

Future Carlton Hall of Famer and two-time Premiership star Peter Dean began his career on this Monday afternoon at Princes Park, when he warmed the bench in his first senior game for the Blues against Footscray.

Third-placed Carlton started warm favourites against the Bulldogs, but the boys from the west were tenacious in a great first quarter, and led 6.3 to 6.0 at the first break. Only then did Carlton click into top gear, piling on another five goals straight before Rod Austin spoiled the party by bringing up our first minor score from a gettable set shot just before half time. The Blues led by 37 points at the main break, and held the Dogs at arm's length for the rest of the match.

Star of the day for Carlton was our acting captain Ken Hunter, who followed up his four-goal effort the previous week with a new personal best of eight majors. Peter Dean came on early, played at centre half-forward and steered through two goals on debut, while Paul Meldrum continued his super season and won the ball in all parts of the ground. Footscray spearhead Simon Beasley booted six goals in a lively display for the losers.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town at Waverley, Hawthorn knocked Collingwood off Carlton's tail when they beat the Magpies by 32 points. Essendon hammered Sydney at Windy Hill, and Geelong bounced back into finals contention when they edged out Richmond in a thriller at the MCG.

Heading into the second half of the season, Essendon and Hawthorn shared top billing on top of the ladder, two wins clear of Carlton. Collingwood and Richmond were next, with Geelong and Sydney snapping at their heels.

At Princes Park, that excellent utility player, Ken Hunter, played a remarkable game against Footscray. The Bulldogs had no answer to Hunter's brilliance. He anticipated beautifully, marked superbly and kicked goals from all angles, even shrugging off desperate opponents along the way to booting eight goals for the match. He was ably supported by dominant on-ballers Spiro Kourkoumelis and Jim Buckley. - Inside Football Player of the Year.

An eight goal burst in the second quarter by the Blues demolished the Bulldogs hopes of snatching a win to get within striking distance of the five. A tearaway Ken Hunter was the destroyer. He ran the Footscray defence in circles and finished with eight goals. Simon Beasley popped through six for the losers. - Football Record.

Carlton led 14.0 to 7.7 just prior to half-time, the Blues simply threaded the ball through from all angles and distances. Full forwards Ken Hunter (8 goals) and Simon Beasley (6 goals) featured but the Bulldogs, who never gave up, couldn't find counters for Spiro Kourkoumelis and Jim Buckley. - Football Record

Team

Video

Milestones

Debut: Peter Dean