Umpires: Mitchell, Hanley, Williams

Goalkickers: Camporeale 4, Silvagni 2, Whitnall 2, Hamill 1

Reports: Nil

Injuries: Nil

Game Review

Season 1999 started on a sour note for the Blues, who ended the round in 15th position after being defeated by 39 points by Essendon. Scott Camporeale would kick 4 of the Blues’ 9 goals and Craig Bradley would pick up 3 Brownlow votes as a reward for 30 touches, but as a whole the Blues were overwhelmed in the final quarter after staying in touch for 3 quarters. Scott Lucas and Matthew Lloyd would kick 3 goals apiece for the winners.

As with most Round 1 fixtures, this was a game of debuts, with Brett Backwell, Ben Thompson and Matthew Lappin all playing their first AFL games for Carlton. Brett Backwell would debut for the Blues after being picked up at #67 in the 1998 National Draft. Wearing number 10, he would pick up 4 disposals and take one mark. Ben Thompson, wearing number 41, also picked up 4 disposals and one mark, but would contract Glandular fever and never get a second go. This was his only AFL game.

Matthew Lappin would also debut for Carlton after 55 games at St Kilda. He would have a more successful match with 15 disposals, 7 marks, 2 behinds and a spectacular mark - the Mark of the Year!

Team

Video

Milestones

Debut: Brett Backwell
Debut and Only Game: Ben Thompson
Debut (Carlton): Matthew Lappin

Brownlow Votes

3: Craig Bradley (CARL)
2: Marc Mercuri (ESS)
1: Mark Fraser (ESS)