Goalkickers: Ellard 3, Judd 2, Scotland 2, Walker 2, Garlett 2, Gibbs 2, Robinson, Kreuzer, McLean, Thornton, Betts, Joseph, Warnock, Henderson 1.

Reports: TBD

Umpires: C. Donlon, S. Jeffery, M. Vozzo

Injuries: Armfield (ankle) replaced in the selected side by Houlihan

Ladder: 4th

Game Review

On the back of one of the biggest hidings in footy history, not to mention those notorious “bruise free” remarks bandied around when last they met, the Demons were never going to struggle for motivation in the round 20 clash with the Blues. Throw in a coach sacking, administrative upheaval, an ailing president and the return of a prodigal son and you have all the makings of an emotion driven upset. For Carlton it was business as usual. Another win was essential to keep the Eagles at bay and the Hawks on their toes as they strived to lock in a top four finish.

The last week or so was a bit of a merry-go-round for Ryan Houlihan. Celebrate your 200th game as substitute one week, get dropped to the emergency list the next, only to be reinstated as the substitute on game day. Aaron Joseph came in to the side in lieu of Houlihan during his initial omission, and Houlihan subsequently replaced Dennis Armfield who never quite came up from an ankle injury. Nett result - Armfield out, Joseph in. The Demons on the other hand made a host of changes to the side that was defeated by 31 goals - hardly surprising.

Chris Judd did the right thing and won the toss for the Blues and for certain you could feel the Melbourne supporters squirm in their seats as they collectively feared a long day might be on the cards. Well Juddy may have been in for a good day (let’s face it he doesn’t have many bad ones) but the Blues certainly didn’t get it all their own way in the first. Though the Blues got the opener inside the first minute through Mitch “Suicide” Robinson, Melbourne definitely started the better of the two teams, showing plenty of vigour at the contests, winning their share and catching the Blues on the break on several occasions. The Demons levelled things on the scoreboard quickly after a 50m penalty, before a strong mark and goal from Matthew Kreuzer edged the Blues in front once again. Melbourne took the ascendency for much of the next 10 minutes or so but failed to hurt the Blues with any scoreboard pressure. Towards the end of the term the Blues lifted a notch and booted three goals in four minutes from Andrew Walker, David Ellard (his second for the term) and Bret Thornton. Ellard’s second was all about Jeff Garlett’s dazzling run down the wing. At full tilt and not for a second looking in control, Garlett nonchalantly kicked the ball to space for Eddie Betts to deliver the final handball before Ellard’s snap. Thornton’s goal came right on the siren and gave the Blues an undeserved two goal advantage.

The second quarter was all about Carlton, in particular the great man Chris Judd. He opened the Blues’ scoring in the second with a vintage left foot snap and not long after set up Betts with a beautiful handball for his first. Wedged in the middle of the Judd magic was Ellard’s third, something of a side-show from him in front of goal. The Blues began to dominate and goals flowed - eight in total for the term and with the Demons unable to return fire in any sense the lead was starting to blow out. When Judd snagged his second for the term at the 29 minute mark the lead was out to 58 points and another shellacking was in the offing for the Dees.

The blow out never really eventuated with the Blues unable to continue the dominant display they’d put on in the second quarter. The Demons got the opener of the second half ending a run of 11 straight from the Blues. It took until the 15 minute mark for Carlton to get their first through the ever reliable Bryce Gibbs. Prior to that, several shots had peppered Carlton’s goal front to no avail - three of them hitting the woodwork. The goal kicking accuracy tidied itself up as the quarter progressed as Heath Scotland, Garlett and Walker all claimed their second goal respectively. Scotland’s day had been another that epitomised the word consistency. He has it in spades and his performance against the Demons was another beauty. The Blues still managed to outscore the Demons four goals to three for the term and extended their lead to snooze-worthy 67 points at the final change.

The second half really seemed to take an eternity to complete with the result inevitable from early on. It was a narrow victory to the Blues in the last thanks largely to Melbourne’s inaccuracy. Goals to Gibbs, Robert Warnock and Lachie Henderson rounded out a lack lustre three goals (including to our 14th goalkicker of the game - see Milestones below) to one term. Warnock’s goal earned him some ironic cheers, but his game on the whole had come from the top shelf, though it must be said Melbourne’s ruck stocks were very thin without Jamar. Supporters of both sides were relieved when the fourth quarter finally came to a close to put the Dees out of their misery 76 points in arrears.

Subs: Substitute Ryan Houlihan replaced Chris Yarran during the 3rd quarter (17 minute mark)

Team

-* Houlihan replaced Armfield in the selected side

Milestones

Goal Kicking Records: It is only the 3rd time in our history that Carlton has had 14 goal scorers in a match. The other 2 times were when the game only allowed for 20 players per side! The first occasion was 31 years ago in Round 20, 1980, before being repeated in Round 10, 1987.
Last game: Ryan Houlihan

Brownlow Votes

3. Chris Judd, Carlton
2. Bryce Gibbs, Carlton
1. Marc Murphy, Carlton

Best & Fairest Votes

Chris Judd 43, Heath Scotland 34, Bryce Gibbs 33, Aaron Joseph 28, Marcus Davies 23, Robert Warnock 21, Marc Murphy 18, Eddie Betts 15, David Ellard 15, Zach Tuohy 4

Ladder