Game Review

On a wild windy day at Princes Park, near top of the ladder Port Adelaide were expected to make an easy meal of the wooden spoon destined Blues. And for the first half the game went according to script, with Carlton unable to to score a major. With the weather making scoring difficult, Port could only amass a 23 point lead to half time.

The second half was more free-flowing and Carlton made a real fist of things. Unfortunately the Blues were unable to convert their numerous chances, kicking 3 goals 9 behinds, whilst Port kicked 4.1. With the game still in the balance, and a Carlton crowd full of voice, the Blues kept coming at Port. Jim Plunkett and Craig Bradley kicked the only goals for the quarter as Carlton surged forward often but found themselves cut off by Port's rebounding half back line (in particular Brett Montgomery) or inaccurate when kicking for goal. Port were held goalless in the final term but hung on for a 9 point victory.

Sadly for Carlton fans this would be the last game they would see Bradley don the navy blue jumper (with the large armholes!). He was Carlton's best with 30 possessions (and picked up 3 Brownlow votes for his efforts) and it was against the AFL incarnation of his old football team, Port Adelaide. Craig was aged 38 years and 291 days old and it was his 375th Carlton senior game (a current Carlton record). In his 375 Carlton senior games Craig had a winning ratio of 58.9% and had played in 220 wins and 2 draws. Andrew McKay also had is hand broken when kicked by Port's Che Cockatoo-Collins during the last quarter in Port's goal square, which ended his season. Sam Cranage had a career best 25 possessions and received 1 Brownlow vote.

Outside the ground Carlton fans were organising a petition in a bid to oust president John Elliott.

Team

-*Late change Beasy for Murphy

Milestones

Last Game: Craig Bradley, Adam Pickering
Score Records: Even though they won, this would be Port's lowest score against the Blues to this point in history, and the lowest until 2011 when Carlton would keep them to a mere 49 points.

Brownlow Votes

3: Craig Bradley (CARL)
2: Roger James (PA)
1: Sam Cranage (CARL)