| Venue: Princes Park | Date: Saturday July 17, 1937 | ||||||||||||||||||
Result: Lose by 25 points | Umpire: Blackburn | Crowd: 15,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Goalkickers: F. Anderson 2.5, A. Shields 2.1, J. Hale 1.1, H. Bullen 1.0, P. Farrelly 1.0, J. Wrout 1.0, M. Price 1.0, M. Crisp 0.2, B. Green 0.2, E. Huxtable 0.1, Rushed 0.1.. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best: B. Chitty, A. Shields, F. Gill, J. Hale, J. Francis, B. Green | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reports: | Injuries: P.Farrelly (cramp) replaced by E. Huxtable in final quarter. |
Game Review
A second straight loss (admittedly against the high-flying Cats), meant hopes of Premiership glory briefly ignited after 3 straight wins in Rounds 9-11 were quickly extinguished. This 25 point loss effectively dashed Carlton’s chances of playing finals football. In a mediocre game, with neither side at their best, Geelong’s superiority in the ruck and better teamwork in the forward line gave it the edge when needed. A strong northerly cross wind contained most of the play to the University wing and robbed the game of much of the expected skill and class.Training during the week saw the return of a couple of injured players, but several others were under injury clouds. Jack Carney and Frank Anderson trained well and were expected to be available for Saturday. Jack Hale (blistered feet), Keith Shea (bruised back), Bob Chitty (bruised thigh) and Jim Francis missed Tuesday’s training but were anticipated to be right as well. Ron Cooper and Ansell Clarke were recovering well, with Clarke named to return via the seconds game. Horrie Bullen (bruised ribs) trained lightly as did Fred Ayers, whose broken hand was healing well. Kevin Fox would be out for a while with his knee problem. Reserves players Charlie McInnes and J. Lyons collided at Thursday’s training, with Lyons needing three stitches in a badly gashed lip. Two changes were made to the side, Anderson and Cooper coming in at the expense of Shea, whose back was still very sore, and Keith Dunn.
Veteran follower Charlie Davey announced his retirement from senior football after training. He said he would continue to play in the seconds’ side to impart his knowledge and skill to younger players.
The first quarter developed into a scrambling type of game with not much in the way of skills on display, with the visitors having the better of the play. A couple of rushed behinds were scored by Geelong. Jim Park was conspicious in defence for Blues. The Cats scored the first goal by a kick off the ground. Good play by Jack Wrout and Jack Hale drove the ball into the Blues' forward line but the move was repulsed by the Geelong defenders. Again, Carlton went forward, but through indecision and fumbling they wasted their opportunities. However, in one of these sorties Arch Shields rose above the pack and marked, he kicked truly for the Blues' first. Geelong then in quick succession kicked three goals to increase their lead to 20 points. Frank Anderson reduced the lead by 6 points with a long kick from half forward. Deep into time on the Cats snapped another goal and led by 19 points at the break.
Early in the second term the Blues held out Geelong who added a couple of of points. The visitors were getting on top in the ruck and across the centre and they added a goal. Carlton could not get the ball over the centre for the first ten minutes of this quarter. Then the Blues went deep into their forward line but a Geelong player marked the ball. However his kick was marked by Frank Anderson and he goaled. Frank soon followed this up, but with a behind. Albert 'Mick' Price and Ron Cooper combined to bring the ball forward again to Frank Anderson but this time his wayward kick went out of bounds. Jack Hale was one of the Blues best players. He started an attack which Ron Cooper passed the ball to Albert 'Mick' Price who added another Carlton goal. This lifted the Blues and Arch Shields added the Blues' fifth goal. Again late in the quarter Geelong added their eighth major. At half time Carlton trailed by 18 points.
The Cats went deep into attack, but Frank Gill took a timely mark right on the goal line. Jack Hale was still playing well and continually drove the ball deep in the attack. Carlton's first goal for the term was from a Jack Hale snap. Blues continued to attack but each time the Geelong defenders took the ball away. One of these moves took the ball deep into Geelong's forward line where they goaled. Carlton had five attempts to score but only one was successful. Then just before the bell Arch Shields marked but his kick fell short. Geelong led by 16 points.
The crowd were bought to their feet when Rod McLean and Ron Cooper swooped forward and Jack Wrout marked strongly to kick the Blues' seventh. However, the Cats soon replied with a behind and a goal. Three times the Blues attacked but three behinds were the result, one a poster. Then Geelong had their turn and added a goal and two behinds and they led by 21 points half way through the term. Play was halted when a spectator jumped the fence and had a few words to the umpire. The police escorted the offender away. The Blues were tiring and Geelong added another goal. Good play by Bob Chitty and Bob Green enabled Horrie Bullen to goal. Frank Gill was moved to the forward line and Jim Park took over the full back duties. Pat Farrelly pulled down a good mark and from a difficult angle added the Blues ninth. Geelong then added a late goal.
After the game, the committee awarded Bob Green with a cutlery set donated by Mr K. G. Luke, for being their choice as best player. Jim Francis, Bob Chitty and Mickey Crisp also received prizes, also donated by Mr Luke.
With five games remaining in the home and away round, Carlton sat in sixth spot on the ladder with 6 wins and seven losses. The Blues were a game and a half in arrears of fifth placed Richmond and ahead of Fitzroy on percentage only. It was mathematically possible to make the final four but all games would need to be won and those other sides would need to lose a game or two. Next week, Carlton would face ladder leaders Melbourne, in what promised to be a great game.
Team
B: | 2 Don McIntyre | 21 Frank Gill | 26 Jim Park |
HB: | 33 Bob Chitty | 10 Jim Francis (acting capt.) | 6 Fred Gilby |
C: | 4 Norm Cashin | 12 Creswell 'Mickey' Crisp | 32 Bob Green |
HF: | 11 Jack Hale | 28 Jack Wrout | 25 Arch Shields |
F: | 20 Pat Farrelly | 1 Frank Anderson | 30 Mick Price |
Ruck: | 15 Horrie Bullen | 14 Rod McLean | 19 Ron Cooper |
19th Man: | 9 Eric Huxtable | ||
Coach: | Percy Rowe |
Round 12 | Round 14