Umpires: R.Sawers & P.Cameron

Goalkickers: K.Sheldon 6, M.Maclure 3, W.Johnston 3, D.McKay 3, B.Armstrong 2, P.McConville 2, V.Catoggio 1

Best; K.Sheldon, W.Harmes, B.Armstrong, V.Catoggio, M.Maclure, R.Austin

Reports: Nil

Injuries: Nil

Game Review

For the first time since Round 2, 1903, Carlton played at the SCG for premiership points, and broke their three game losing streak.

Coach Peter Jones had continued training with the senior team up to this point, with a mind to returning if required. But he realised that it was a pointless exercise, and retired from the field for good after playing in the Reserves match against Essendon at Windy Hill.

As a sidelight, the Bluebirds were mobbed by the Sydney crowd!!!

Carlton rover Ken Sheldon was outstanding in the Blues much needed victory over Essendon. Sheldon played a major role in the Blues securing their first victory in a tough month of football, by booting six goals. Sheldon was well supported by the dynamic Wayne Harmes who provided excellent rebound footy from the Blues' defensive half. - Inside Football Player of the Year.

Blues' blues are over
Carlton are back in town. Their slump is now over and they are still a very good team. It is impossible to keep playing without losing form. It also happened to the Blues. I guess it seemed somewhat unbelievable because they had been so efficient before their string of losses. This Saturday, Carlton clash with St Kilda. It will be a game charged with emotion, not necessarily for the players, but for the Carlton fans who will no doubt turn in droves to watch the great Jezza play against his old side. St Kilda won't win - it won't be through lack of intensity, but lack of ability. Carlton will be ruthless and efficient. Their former coach would expect them to be, and so would Percy Jones. St Kilda will try everything for their coach and will try to show their opponents that they too know how to contest. It makes for an interesting game.

What of the Blues? It is tough to stay at a high after a premiership and very tough to win two flags in a row. Even so, a slump is one of those intangible happenings in football that is hard to explain. Ability doesn't change from year to year all that much. Carlton haven't lost too many players and they have gained a couple of good ones - Phil Maylin and Val Perovic. It can be attitude and mental tiredness that causes the problem of poor form. Players want the easy kick. They run to a space to receive rather than to the fall of the ball to contest or help a teammate. They forget basic principles of helping each other and tackling on the field. Invariably they lapse in concentration and only follow instructions part of the way. Even more damaging is the fact that they forget that success is brought about by hard, slogging effort.

Those who watched the Carlton Vs Essendon game in Sydney would have noticed the Blues just about had it all back again. The quicksilver thrusts forward by smaller players capped off by some better aerial work by McKay and Maclure made them look good. Their style of game is still a short one. They are content to slot the ball around, relying on skill of foot and handpasses. They work on a principle of speed - small players surge down the field in two's and three's - making it very hard for the opposition's defence. A backman playing against Carlton continually finds himself running out to meet the opposition player only to find the ball chipped over his head by foot or hand. Frustrating stuff for any backman. But now the Blues are back in town we can expect to see it as a familiar sight for the rest of the season. - Barry Richardson Inside Football.

Blues Bounce Back
Last season's premiers Carlton regained the confidence it had been seeking for several weeks with a match-winning burst of power in the third quarter against Essendon in Sydney last Sunday. The Blues needed a lift after three straight defeats and after an even and top-pressure first half they put their game together with 9.3 to 3.5 in the third term. Once again it was Blues little men who ran riot and much the same fellows who had helped Carlton to five straight victories at the beginning of the season. Ken Sheldon, Barry Armstrong and Wayne Johnston were among those to set Carlton in motion and centre half-forward Mark Maclure made a welcome return to form. Essendon kicked itself out of the game in front of goal and also in field play when it attacked through the flanks rather than the middle on the small SCG Ground. - Football Record.

Team

Milestones

Last Game (Carlton): Alan Mangels
100 Goals: Ken Sheldon

Video