Goalkickers: H.McPetrie 2, B.Cameron 1, W.Ocock 1, C.Sweatman 1.

Umpire: Kendall

Best: Hannah (BOG), Reekie, Sweatman, McPetrie, Ocock, Cummins, Aitken and Howard

Game Review

After losing our first ever VFL game in round 1, Carlton put in a solid performance in Round 2 to nearly beat South Melbourne. Afterwards The Argus newspaper ran the headline "Improvement in Carlton":

"The Carlton novices fairly astonished their friends on Saturday by playing such a fine game against South Melbourne that the latter were in dread of defeat until the bell rung, and breathed a long sign of relief when it was all over and they had won by four points. If it were not, however, that the South gained a slight advantage in keeping their places better than the Blues there would have been little to choose between them.

The best thing in the Carlton play—as promising better things in the future—was the dash and determination with which they finished. Hannah played the best game on the ground, his pace on the wing greatly taking the onlookers' fancy. Reckie, on the half-back line, was also particularly good. McPetrie, who comes from St. Kilda, and Sweetman, from Ascotvale, each got two goals, but the best goal for the side was scored by Ocock, when he seemed completely hemmed in. Cummins, Aitken, and Howard also shaped very well. ''

The Age reported that "local supporters had no cause to feel the anxiety which they were destined to experience before the last bell rang out its welcome sound. After the last change of ends Carlton quite reversed the former state of things, wiping off 21 of the 25 points by which South had led at the close of the third quarter, in which the latter had scored 4.1 to 0.1. In this match, even to a greater extent than in most of the others, the wind, which had chopped about a good deal, materially affected the play, and as Carlton at the finish were reeling off the points and rapidly reducing South's lead, the excitement was intense. Time, however, saved the home team, who on the merits of a slashing good battle deserved to pull through, as they had kept their places better than Carlton. It was, however, pleasant lo see the old Blues, after being so badly beaten by Fitzroy, make such a good fight"

There were five changes to this team; Tom Blake and Bill Woodhouse were both missing after having been in the Blues best players the previous week. Experienced campaigners Peter Williams and Bob Cameron were both brought in and performed well. Henry McPetrie was the first Carlton player to score two goals in a League match.

In his only league game, Harry Gyles was the youngest Carlton player at 16 years, 321 days old. He had played for Carlton in the VFA in 1895, and was Carlton's youngest player until 1930.

At the end of this round Carlton were in 6th spot on the ladder with a percentage of 58.4.

Footnote:

South Melbourne players wore crepe armbands owing to the death of D. Adamson, the father of two of South's players.
This was Dave Adamson who played in Carlton's formative years.

Team

Changes

In: S.Chapman, H.Gyles, H.Howard, A.Patterson, P.Williams
Out: B.Ahern, T.Blake, O.Buck, G.Johnston, B.Woodhouse

Milestones

Debut: Sam Chapman, Peter Williams, Harry Howard.
Debut and only game: Harry Gyles and Alby Paterson who both played their only League game (both had previously played for Carlton in the VFA)
Last Game: Ted Heffernan played his second and last League game.
Records: This is, of course, the first VFL / AFL match between these two clubs
Footnote: Although this was the first VFL meeting between these clubs, Carlton and South Melbourne had first played in 1879 in the VFA, and up until the end of 1896 they had played 37 times with the Blues winning 11, losing 20 and drawing 6. (See Pre VFL)