Umpire: F.Schwab

Goalkickers: B.Williams 3, L.Brereton 2, M.Sankey 2, T.Carroll 2, I.Collins, J.Nicholls, J.James.

Best: S.Silvagni, J.Nicholls, B.Buckley, W.Lofts, G.Anderson, M.Sankey, B.Cox, M.Kick, B.Williams.

Game Review

Geelong entered this contest with injury problems, and without their star full forward Doug Wade. However, the Cats were the better team in the first half and had forged to a 3-goal lead at half time. Then Carlton began to steadily peg back the Cats, and with goals to James and Williams in time-on in the third quarter, reduced the deficit to 2 points.

The last quarter was a beauty, with a beautiful left-foot snap from Carroll - on the boundary line - getting the Blues in front. Another goal to Williams extended the lead, but a quick response came from Wooller for the Cats. After 23 minutes of the final term, Geelong's Miller levelled the score, before Rice goaled to put the Cats in front from a free for a high tackle. A minute later, Miller goaled again to put Geelong two goals up as time-on began.

But the Blues kept coming. Gill kicked a behind, then Barry marked in Geelong's goal square to stop a promising attack. Carlton got back to level, and Johnny James (Brownlow Medallist the previous year) had a chance to win the game for the Blues, but his snap from about 50 metres out went out of bounds on the full.

This was the first drawn Preliminary Final in VFL history.

The Blueseum has put together an Image Gallery for the Preliminary Final matches, available here.

Team

No Change

Milestones

Last Game: Leo Brereton