Game Review

Normally a close game is a good game, and a Carlton win something to watch. But this Round 13 game was a horrible contest of two poorly skilled teams in a season where both would come near the bottom of the ladder.

Carlton and Richmond would slug this night game out, almost goal for goal, congested pack for congested pack. The Wayne Brittain coached Blues of 2002 were a short kicking / chip style team with long kicks only to sure bets or on entry to the forward 50, most usually when Corey McKernan was making a lead. The Blues would cross the ground from defence, chipping away, to try to find a forward. It was hard to watch, and I can only assume, pretty hard to play. Both teams would play this style, and it would drag down the game to ball up after ball up. This game was also famous for a Richardson tantrum where he simply pulled out of a lead to Matthew Knights, suggesting he'd hurt his hamstring, but instead he'd pulled out as the kick wasn't good enough. The commentators had great fun with that one.

To the credit of this Carlton team, they were tenacious in continuing to drag Richmond in when the Tigers threatened to run away with it. The tackling was also pretty intense throughout the game, and well, it was a Carlton victory in a year of only 3, providing a highlight for the players and the suffering fans. Best players were Corey McKernan up forward and in the ruck with 5 goals, Simon Beaumont who would beat Richardson hands-down, Andrew McKay and Blake Campbell at half-back, Matthew Lappin plus two other youngsters who showed a lot - Luke Livingston at full back and Ryan Houlihan, who would create a number of opportunities up forward. Simon Wiggins and Jordan Doering each kicked two goals.

Carlton would rack up their second win of the season by one point, providing the first win in the careers of Livingston, Campbell and Bret Thornton.

Team

-* Late change Cranage for Mansfield

Brownlow Votes

3: Corey McKernan (CARL)
2: Greg Tivendale (RICH)
1: Simon Beaumont (CARL)