Umpires: J.Russo & S.Carbines

Goalkickers: W.Ralph 7, P.Meldrum 4, W.Blackwell 2, F.Murphy 2, M.Maclure 1, A.Montgomery 1, D.Honeybun 1.

Best: W.Ralph, V.Perovic, W.Johnston, W.Blackwell, P.Maylin, P.Meldrum

Reports: Nil

Injuries: Nil

Game Review

This was seen as a danger game for the Blues, in the wake of Melbourne's giant-killing win over Geelong the previous week. Those concerns were soon realised when the Demons piled on six goals to two for a 22-point lead at quarter time, and by the main break the difference had blown out to 41 points.

Carlton coach David Parkin ripped into his troops at half time, and a better third quarter reduced the margin to four goals - but the Demons had their tails up and were looking like winners. Enter Warren Ralph. Two enormous goals from wide out around 50 metres sparked a revival, and the Blues powered home with 18 minutes of unstoppable football to roll over the Demons by 17 points in perhaps our best victory in the year to date. Ralph was brilliant with another seven goals, 'Molly' Meldrum and Wayne Blackwell dominated after half time, while Brendan Hartney impressed in defence.

Continuing a season of upsets and surprises, Essendon lost to Footscray at Windy Hill, and Collingwood inflicted another defeat on Geelong at Kardinia Park. Carlton's win lifted the Blues to third - behind Hawthorn and Essendon, with Collingwood and Geelong making up the five.

Carlton supporters must have experienced a feeling of deja vu at the MCG on Saturday. The Blues great second half against Melbourne at the MCG bore a striking similarity to their fightback against Collingwood in the second half of that famous 1970 Grand Final on the same ground. Carlton was 44 points down at half time in the 1970 Grand Final and looked well and truly beaten, but a sensational third quarter burst saw it halve the leeway at three quarter time. The Blues finished right over Collingwood in the final term and took the flag by 10 points. On Saturday, Carlton trailed Melbourne by 41 points at half time, they swamped Melbourne to run out winners by 17 points. Ironically Ron Barassi was on the receiving end this time as Melbourne's coach. It was Barassi who masterminded that 1970 Grand Final comeback by Carlton who he was coaching at the time when he instructed the Blues to play on at all costs that resulted in a most famous victory. - Tony Greenberg Inside Football.

Interesting to note that two of the key players in Carlton's great fighting victory over Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday were ace interstate recruits, Warren Ralph and Wayne Blackwell. The pair joined the Blues this season from West Australia and haven't taken long to find their feet in the VFL. On Saturday, they lifted Carlton in the second half just when the Blues really needed some desperation. Warren Ralph was well held in the first half and hadn't managed to put a goal on the board. But, in the third quarter, he cut loose with four goals and followed that up with a further three in the final term as Carlton stormed home. Warren is an excellent lead, a good mark and accurate kick - ideal atrributes for a full forward to have. He topped the ton several times in WA football and, after seven rounds has 35 goals to his credit, so another century is certainly within his grasp. What a superb effort it would be if Warren Ralph could boot 100 goals in his first season of VFL football. Wayne Blackwell looks an extremely busy sort of player in the typical Carlton small man mould. He's also an extremely good mark for his size, uses the ball intelligently and has an abundance of courage. Carlton's recruiting men certainly did their homework - Warren Ralph and Wayne Blackwell look loke being top performers for the Blues throughout their VFL careers. - Michael Roach Inside Football.

Dark days indeed for the Demons. The week before they'd handed Geelong a hiding, and the club, reeling with only one win in six games, was hoping for big things against the Blues. Peter Moore and David Cordner helped Melbourne to a handy lead by three-quarter time, but they couldn't withstand an eight-goal blitz by the Blues in the final term. Warren Ralph kicked seven goals. - Football Record.

Melbourne led Carlton by 41 points at the half-way mark, and entered the last term 26 points to the good. It simply seemed to run out of puff at the hands of a side that didn't lose faith in itself and used every break that came its way. Warren Ralph collected his "bag" after half-time - he provided the avenue to goal that was lacking early. - Football Record.

Team

Milestones

200 Games: Rod Austin