Goalkickers: K.Baxter 4, H.Vallence 4, R.Cooper 2, J.Hale 2, J.McElroy 1, J.Park 1, M.Price 1.

Umpire: Hawkins

Game Review

On the Monday afternoon of this King’s Birthday holiday weekend, an unprecedented crowd of more than 43,000 packed into Princes Park to see the round eight clash between top of the table Carlton, and second-placed Footscray, who were en route to their first-ever appearance in a VFL finals series.

The game began with long queues still at the gates, and some desperate patrons tore sections of the fence down to get in. It was a high-standard contest, but the Blues always had the Bulldogs’ measure and were never seriously challenged. The final margin was 24 points, with Ken Baxter and ‘Soapy’ Vallence each kicking four goals for the home side.

This split round 8 was the only time in VFL history when the three best field umpires officiated in all six games over the long weekend of June 11-13:

At the end of this round Carlton were in 1st spot on the ladder with a percentage of 121.0

Saturday 11 June

Essendon 12.12.84 vs Geelong 14.23.107–Blackburn
Melbourne 18.14.122 vs North 14.8.92–Hawkins
Collingwood 16.23.119 vs St. Kilda 14.9.93–Batt

Monday 13 June

South 8.14.62 vs Richmond 20.15.135–Blackburn
Hawthorn 7.11.53 vs Fitzroy 12.22.94–Batt
Carlton 15.20.110 vs Footscray 12.11.83–Hawkins

On the Monday morning of 13 June, St. Kilda (15.13.103) and Essendon (22.17.149) actually played their round 12 game - four weeks early - because both sides wanted to go away on trips during the second week of July! On that unique occasion, the field umpire was Morgan.

Team