Umpires: J.Russo & Sidebottom

Crowd:17,102 Receipts: $44,180

Goalkickers: W.Ralph 2, P.Maylin 2, W.Blackwell 2, M.Maclure 2, D.Glascott 1, R.Austin 1, J.Madden 1, T.Alvin 1, W.Johnston 1.

Best: W.Blackwell, P.Dean, P.Maylin, D.Glascott, W.Johnston, P.Meldrum

Reports: M.Maclure (Carlton) by field umpire J.Russo for striking T.Barker during the first quarter - cleared.

Injuries: B.Reid (calf) - Four replacements in selected side; J.Buckley (flu) replaced by S.Robertson, R.Ashman (hamstring) replaced by T.Alvin, K.Hunter (groin) replaced by W.Ralph and D.English (ribs) replaced by P.Maylin.

Game Review

Four key players; Rod Ashman, Ken Hunter, Des English and Val Perovic were all missing from Carlton's selected team due to injury for this game against St Kilda at Moorabbin. The Blues still fielded a strong line-up, but the spark of previous weeks was missing and the Saints took control of the game from the first quarter.

Thankfully no major damage was done to our ladder position because other results fell our way. In a weekend of big scores, Hawthorn smashed Richmond by 88 points at Waverley, and Geelong continued their late-season revival to comfortably account for Melbourne at Kardinia Park.

With five matches left in the home and away season, the top five was Hawthorn, Essendon, Carlton, Collingwood and Geelong.

Blues hit a wet patch but Saints not only culprits
That busy little curator down at Moorabbin was at it again last week. Once again, the Moorabbin Oval was a mud hole, while other grounds were in good condition. Up until now, coaches had been content to have a half-hearted whinge about the Saints watering habits. But that's because they had been winning. David Parkin didn't make any bones about the appalling conditions but I'm sure he wouldn't have been very happy. St Kilda has not been the only offender in the past - other clubs have doctored the ground to suit their requirements. But they haven't been so blatant. The next game at Moorabbin is due on August 11 against the Tigers. Perhaps by then the turf may have been dried out but I doubt it. - Graham Teasdale Inside Football.

Full marks to St Kilda on its great win over Carlton at Moorabbin on Saturday. The freak overhead cloud burst on Friday night, undoubtedly helped the Saints in their quest for victory. Those wet, muddy conditions would have suited St Kilda far more than the Blues. Wonder if St Kilda Chairman, Lindsay Fox, has a direct line to the big blokes upstairs. Somebody up there likes the Saints. It's quite amazing how often on the Friday night before a Saturday game at Moorabbin that the heavens open up right over the ground!!!!! - Barry Cable Inside Football.

Carlton suffered a shock defeat at Moorabbin when St Kilda turned on copybook wet weather football to easily account for the Blues. The Saints, ignoring the heavy conditions, led the Blues at every change and won easily. - Football Record.

The Saints first win over the Blues since 1978 was achieved by leading all day. Withdrawals of Buckley, Hunter, Ashman and English seriously weakened Carlton, but it was the Saints fanaticism to win the ball in heavy conditions that won the day. - Football Record.

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