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Game Review

More than ten years afer this match, whilst spying him at a coffee shop in Brisbane, I was tempted to ask Damian Bourke exactly what DID go on in this game? Did he "king-hit" Justin Madden, whose felling prompted a complete reversal in the trend of the game? Or was it merely an accident? One of those things that happen in a game of footy.

Knowing it would blind-side him completely, and given he is three foot and 11 stone heavier than my good self, I thought better of it.

The thing is, when you are 13 and impressionable, anyone who can knock down one of your heroes, a true GIANT and at that stage the tallest player in the VFL, gains a certain measure of respect in your psyche, which is carried into adulthood. Alas, I neglected to take the opportunity to settle my mind on this landmark (in my eyes) tussle.

Madden, throughout his entire career with Carlton, was instrumental in many victories. In this defeat he was brought down, behind play, and then reported. Carlton never recovered.

Craig Bradley and Mark Naley, who were previously dominating, suddenly found themselves struggling against Robert Scott and Sean Denham, with Neville Bruns stepping up, firstly on Ian Herman and then on Naley.

Carlton's tall-timber forward line of Stephen Kernahan, Ken Hunter, Phil Poursanidis and Warren McKenzie failed to haul in the marks.

Stephen Silvagni though had a magnificant battle with Gary Ablett who kicked 4.3 (two late in the game). Silvagni took advantage of Ablett's non-existent defensive game to blitz out of defence for the Blues.

Dwayne Russell scored a suspect free kick early in the last quarter from which he goaled, sealing the win for the Cats.

Highlight of the game was Wayne Blackwell's first quarter charge, smother and goal after intercepting Tim Darcy's clearing kick.

Madden goes down, then the Blues follow.
Geelong continues its amazing topsy-turvy form when it fights back from five goals down during the third quarter to defeat reigning premier team Carlton at VFL Park. The Cats are strung into action after an altercation between their skipper Damien Bourke and Carlton's ruck giant Justin Madden. With defenders constantly repelling the Blues' attacking thrusts, Geelong seizes the game by the throat and goes on to a meritorious 11 point win. - Tong Greenberg Inside Football.

Team

B:	43 Mick Kennedy	1 Stephen Silvagni	31 Tom Alvin
HB:	5 Steve Da Rui	6 Jon Dorotich	25 Ian Herman
C:	8 Wayne Blackwell	21 Craig Bradley	36 Michael Garvey
HF:	7 Wayne Johnston	4 Stephen Kernahan (c)	9 Ken Hunter
F:	45 Warren McKenzie	49 Phil Poursanidis	12 Adrian Gleeson
Ruck:	44 Justin Madden (vc)	32 David Glascott	17 Mark Naley
Interchange:	30 Fraser Murphy	13 Mil Hanna
Emgs:	51 Gerard Butts	15 Bernie Evans	10 Brad Shine
Coach:	Robert Walls

Milestones

150 AFL Games: Justin Madden