Umpires: R.Sawers & G.Morrow

Goalkickers: R.Ashman 4, F.Murphy 4, J.Madden 4, W.Jones 3, M.Maclure 2, K.Hunter 1, P.Meldrum 1, W.Harmes 1.

Best: B.Doull, W.Blackwell, P.Meldrum, R.Ashman, M.Maclure, W.Jones, F.Murphy, W.Harmes

Reports:Nil

Injuries:Nil

Game Review

Before the bounce in the last round of this fascinating season there many possibilities. Collingwood was strongly favoured to beat Footscray at Victoria Park, so to ensure the double chance, Carlton simply had to beat Sydney on Saturday afternoon at Princes Park.

After an even first half, the Blues dominated the third term, but wasteful kicking for goal restricted our lead to eight points at the last change. Enter ruckman 'Wow' Jones, who hauled down three big pack marks up forward, and kicked two telling goals while the Blues piled on seven majors in the last 18 minutes to bolt away to a gutsy win by 36 points.

This victory was a tribute to the Blues' following division. Jones and 'Harry' Madden controlled the hit-outs after half-time, and rovers Rod Ashman and Fraser Murphy took full advantage. With considerable relief, Carlton claimed third spot on the ladder from Collingwood, while Fitzroy astounded everyone by coming from nowhere to snatch fifth. At the Junction Oval on Saturday afternoon, the Lions thrashed St Kilda by nearly ten goals, and qualified for a shot at the flag by a margin of 8% over Geelong. Bernie Quinlan kicked five goals for Fitzroy, and brought his season tally to 102.

Carlton had achieved the first objective of every side in the competition by making it through to the first round of the finals. But from here on, the task became progressively harder. First up for the Blues was the Qualifying Final against Hawthorn.

The Blues felt the sting of the Sydney Swans for three quarters and, at one stage, another upset was on the cards. But in the last quarter the Blues steadied with the aid of the breeze. Justin Madden and Warren Jones caused problems with the Swans when resting at full forward, this resulted in seven goals between them. Carlton would be unwise to get carried away with the goal production of Madden and Jones for the finals, as the ploy seldom works in succesive weeks. The Blues will bank on their small men like Ashman, Buckley, Murphy, Marcou, Sheldon and Blackwell. Balancing the team will be their problem, however, with their best bet against Hawthorn being the effective use of the ball by their small brigade. Thank God the Blues persuaded Bruce Doull to play another season as he has constantly stood firm and was a stumbling block against the Swans. - Peter Hogan Inside Football.

The Swans, bubbling with confidence following a crushing win over top team Essendon in Sydney the previous week, were jolted back to reality against the Blues. Before a big crowd at Princes Park the Blues, with Justin Madden, Rod Ashman and Fraser Murphy kicking 12 goals between them, left the Swans without an answer. Just as some people may have had their doubts about the ultimate owner of third place on the ladder, the last 10 minutes of the third term put this to rest. Only then did the Blues shake off the very persistant and confident Swans. Carlton looked like paying dearly for an atrocious 3.10 in the second term, but they improved with 13.5 in the second half.- Football Record.

Team

Video

Milestones

Debut: Mick Kennedy
Last Game (Carlton): Phil Maylin