Game Review

You're a great fighter, Mots
The best thing that happened on Saturday was the appearance of Peter Motley. Considering what the poor kid has been through, he is looking unbelievably well and it appears as though there is every chance of him recovering to levels previously thought impossible. He is a great fighter. We're all thinking of you Mots. But despite that, we were pathetic against an undermanned opponent. Not too much can be taken away from Fitzroy, which showed some of the form which carried it through to last year's preliminary final, but considering how decimated it was with injuries we really should have crushed it. We waited until the last minute to show our class and in the final analysis we were far too good. I suppose the blustery conditions affected our dazzling skills, but it was significant that in conditions which didn't suit high-marking forwards we found other avenues to goal and came up with 12 goalkickers. The myth developing about stop Kernahan, stop Carlton is just that - a myth. Our running player's dominated again and it is at ground level where this year's flag will be won. Hawthorn certainly has a terrific rover in Platten, but its running division cannot boast of the class of Glascott, Bradley, Gleeson, Evans, Naley, Rhys-Jones, Alvin and Meldrum. Each of them did something in conditions which suited and they are all potential match winners. - Carl Toner Inside Football.

Lions Linger
After it's win against Fitzroy, Carlton confirmed its place at the top of the ladder, put down a payment on its spot at the MCG on Grand Final day, reserve a few tables for the post-premiership bash and breath a collective sigh of relief. A game between a top side and a middle ranking team can always produce an upset, particularily at this critical stage of the season when the latter has something to prove to a few disillusioned supporters. Fitzroy was no exception. It was not until the final quarter that Carlton drew away by kicking 6.5 to 2.1. Up until this point, the Lions had kept within striking distance. At the game's end, the only notable differences in the team's statistics was in handballing (151 to 80 in Carlton's favour) and hit-outs (27 to 5, including 24 by Justin Madden). For the Blues their running brigade dominated, Shane Robertson had 28 possessions (16 & 12), Craig Bradley had 27 (19 & 8) and Adrian Gleeson had 27 (16 & 11). - Footy Week.

Team

Milestones

50th Game: Shane Robertson

Brownlow Votes

3: David Rhys-Jones CARL)
2: Justin Madden (CARL)
1: Paul Roos (FITZ)