Game Review

After an even first quarter and a half, in which the Bombers wasted several scoring opportunities, the more efficient Blues kicked 3 unanswered goals late in the second quarter to grab a 16 point lead at half time. Greg Williams kicked 3 courageous goals and had a hand in several others. His 27 possessions would earn him Best on Ground. He was ably assisted in the midfield by Anthony Koutoufides, Fraser Brown, Matthew Hogg and Brett Ratten, who were also major ball winners. Michael Sexton & Adrian Hickmott (in his second game for the club) would be instrumental in defence, saving numerous goals. Sexton would also run forward to score a rare goal himself, while Steven Silvagni limited Hird's influence.

In the third quarter, the dangerous Brad Pearce, who had been held kickless in the forward pocket in the first half by Gavin Wanganeen, proved too fast and efficient for the one time Brownlow medalist (who would eventually be benched), to score 4 booming goals from his first 4 kicks of the match. This opened up a 6 goal lead for the Blues, which would turn out to be match winning, as the heavens then opened, making further scoring extremely difficult. Although that would not prevent Pearce from later scoring a fifth goal from his fifth kick. This would be one of a number of matches in this era, in which the Blues would make better use of heavy rain to defeat their arch rivals.

In the final quarter, the Bombers fought back to reduce the margin to 3 goals but the Blues had all the answers to score their 18th (and last) successive victory by 29 points. It would come at a significant cost however, with injuries to Captain Stephen Kernahan (hamstring), the luckless Luke O'Sullivan (dislocated shoulder) and Peter Dean (arm) who would all miss the following week.

Team

Milestones

Score Records: This was the last win of a record 18 consecutive wins by Carlton, a Club record