Goalkickers: W.Ocock and W.Weir 1.

Umpire: Hood

Best: T.Blake, J.Aitken, E.Walton, B.Hannah, J.Reekie, W.Woodhouse, W.Casey, W.Ocock and A.Cummins.

Game Review

Game Review: Carlton vs. Fitzroy, Round 1, 1897

Match Preview and Team Selection
Ahead of the game, the Fitzroy City Press (May 6, p3) offered insight into the reasons for the exclusion of certain clubs from the newly formed VFL, suggesting that teams eliminated for a "tendency to play the man instead of the ball" would lead to a better, more enjoyable game.

The Friday Herald (p3) listed a Carlton team to be selected from 30 players, including Aitken, Blake, Buck, Casey, Sweatman, Walton, Weir, and Ocock, among others. Notably, Jimmy Aitken was elected captain before the match, which was a surprise since the previous year's captain, Tom Blake, was still with the club.

First Half: A Scrappy Beginning
The match started in a "scrappy" fashion, and according to The Argus (May 10, p6), the play was a "jumble of places." Early on, Carlton benefited from Fitzroy players still accustoming themselves to the new rules.

Bill Weir made club history by kicking the first-ever VFL goal for Carlton and the first League goal at the Brunswick Street Oval. Despite this, Fitzroy, with 11 behinds, led by two points at the long break, having failed to score a goal while Carlton had 1 goal and 3 behinds. The new rule abolishing the "little mark" (requiring a minimum 10-yard kick) caused some confusion, particularly for the Fitzroy players.

Second Half: Fitzroy Dominance and New Rules
Fitzroy established their dominance in the second half through what The Age described as "great superiority in pace, weight, high marking and long kicking." A run of five goals in the third quarter gave them an "unassailable" lead. The Argus noted that Carlton suffered from backmen failing to hold their positions, which led to two goals being conceded.

The Blues, however, were "gallant" in the final quarter and prevented Fitzroy from completely overwhelming them. The chief difference between the two sides was Fitzroy's "efficient twenty" players, while Carlton relied on only about ten men to "do the bulk of the work."

Carlton's best moment of the day was a "breezy" dash around the right wing, carrying the ball from end-to-end for a goal to Wally Ocock. This was also a historic game for Carlton as it was the first time behinds were included in the final score, a change from the VFA system where they were recorded but not counted.

Individual Performances and Final Result
The Argus highlighted several Carlton players for their efforts:

E. Walton was praised for playing a "really sound defensive game," turning back many Fitzroy rushes.

J. Reekie provided good support to Walton.

The wingmen, Hannah and Armstrong, were deemed a "bit light for the reformed game," though Hannah performed "very well indeed."

Tom Blake and W. Woodhouse "made a good impression in the ruck."

Cumming was also a "prominent man on the ball," and Ocock and Casey showed good football.

Fitzroy's side included Mick Grace, who played in the ruck and would later join Carlton from 1903 to 1907. Ultimately, Fitzroy won by 33 points. After the historic first round, Carlton was in 8th place on the ladder with a percentage of 32.7.

Team

Milestones

Inception Blues: This was our first VFL/AFL Game, the VFL being established in 1897. As such, it was the official Carlton VFL debut of all players, although a number of them had represented the Blues in the VFA. This is discussed further here.
Debut and only game: Bill Ahern and George Johnston
Records: This is, of course, the first match played between these 2 Clubs
Interesting Fact: In an auspicious start, This game would commence a run of 116 games played by the Blues before our next / first Final, a record that would not be broken for almost a century.
Footnote: Although this was the first VFL meeting between these clubs, Carlton and Fitzroy actually first played in 1884 in the VFA. Prior to the end of 1896, they had met 26 times, with the Blues winning 10, losing 13, and drawing 3 games. (See Pre VFL).