Umpires: I.Cameron & J.Russo

Goalkickers: P.Meldrum 3, S.Kernahan 2, B.Evans 1, D.Glascott 1, W.McKenzie 1, D.Rhys-Jones 1.

Best: T.Alvin, P.Meldrum, D.Glascott, J.Madden, D.English and P.Motley.

Reports: D.Rhys-Jones (Striking) (2 weeks)

Injuries: C.Bradley (broken hand), W.Blackwell (concussion) & W.Johnston (jarred knee).

Game Review

Not even having Carlton fan Olivia Newton-John would bring us a win in this match - Hawthorn would reverse their Semi Final loss to the Blues with this stunning return to form, belting the Blues by 7 goals at the MCG.

It seemed as though Carlton went into the game too cocky whilst the Hawks were armed and ready after their shock loss in the second-semi final. Hawthorn learnt from the second-semi loss and moved their side around, Langford onto Kernahan, Ayres onto Rhys-Jones, Eade onto Bradley, Greene onto Harmes as a defensive forward to drag Harmes away from supporting Doull, Russo onto Johnston and Wallace onto Blackwell. All these moves paid off for the Hawks. Hawthorn's best weapon was its aggression at the ball, not the man.

Carlton was caught wrong-footed from the start and could not get going, the only flicker of hope coming with 10 minutes of reasonable football at the end of the second quarter. Carlton desperately needed the first goal or two of the third quarter, but sank when the Hawks started a goal avalanche. The Blues buckled, bent and all but showed the white flag of surrender. Bradley injured his right hand in the first quarter and if this worried him the Blues should have taken him off the ground. After all, Carlton had had the chance to examine the injury during the half-time break. Bradley went off the ground during the third quarter and when he did return he was not the effective player he usually is and the Blues missed his drive. Bernie Evans was unable to get into the play, Carlton had few players who could push forward. Hunter seemed to have come into the game unfit as was Blackwell, who both missed the second-semi with injuries. To take two injured players into a Grand Final is inexcusiable. The Blues engine with Bradley injured early, Blackwell not fit, Johnston jarring his knee and Rhys-Jones being well held was ineffective. The ball just didnt enter the Carlton forward line enough times and when it did it was not as clinical as it should have been and was rushed out by the Hawk defenders.

Tom Alvin, with 21 disposals was the Blues' leading possession winner, and then David Glascott with 19 disposals underlining the struggle the side had all afternoon.

The Blues sprung a bit of a shock when they dropped Stephen Silvagni from the senior line up for the Grand Final. Silvagni responded by kicking five goals in the Reserves Grand Final win over Footscray, in a game that also saw Rod Ashman boot five in his final appearance in the famous Navy Blue jumper.

Team

Video

Milestones

Last game: This was Bruce Doull's 356th and last game for Carlton. He was 36 years and 16 days old, and had played in 238 Carlton wins (the current Carlton record of most senior wins). He also took part in 5 draws, giving him a winning ratio of 67.6%.
Last game: Mark Maclure, Des English