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Game Review

Carlton broke through for its first win under new coach Denis Pagan in another upset against arch-enemy Essendon. This win would once again inflict damage on the form and finals hopes of the Bombers, as also occurred in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2005. The younger Blues side constantly put their more fancied opponents under pressure, forcing them to make errors which they capitalised on.

The Blues kicked the first 3 goals of the match. The Bombers responded with 3 goals of their own before the Blues added another to take an 11 point lead at quarter time. They could have been further ahead had it not been for inaccurate kicking.

But the Bombers took control in the second quarter, kicking 6 goals to 2, to take a 15 point lead at half time.

The Blues kicked the first 4 goals of the third to regain the lead but then the Bombers took it back with the next 2 goals. A late goal to Jarrad Waite gave the Blues a slender 2 point break at the final change.

The last quarter began with both sides exchanging goals and the lead. The Blues were a goal up when the rain started to come pouring down midway through the quarter and then a light tower blew out, leaving part of the ground in darkness. This would not daunt the highly skilled Ryan Houlihan, who in those difficult conditions, calmly slotted the wet ball through for a goal from a tight angle in the forward pocket, to put the game out of reach of the Bombers, who would go down by 11 points. He then celebrated this by doing a 'Chainsaw' manoeuvre. This topped off a 28 possession Best on Ground performance.

Scott Camporeale, with 26 possessions, also helped set up scoring opportunities for Lance Whitnall (3 goals) and Brendan Fevola (4 goals), who was too good for leading full back Dustin Fletcher. Brad Fisher, in only his second game, marked strongly and kicked 2 goals. Bret Thornton restricted Matthew Lloyd to just 2 goals.

Team

B:	36 Trent Sporn	32 Bret Thornton	45 Anthony Franchina
HB:	5 Andrew McKay (a/c)	29 Simon Beaumont	12 Matthew Lappin
C:	30 Jarrad Waite	34 Simon Wiggins	16 Scott Camporeale
HF:	18 Justin Murphy	8 Lance Whitnall	33 Ryan Houlihan
F:	9 Adrian Hickmott (a/VC)	25 Brendan Fevola	14 Brad Fisher
Ruck:	11 Barnaby French	43 Anthony Koutoufides	27 Darren Hulme
Interchange:	19 Andrew Merrington	13 Justin Davies	28 Ian Prendergast
	41 Jonathon McCormick
Coach:	Denis Pagan
Emg:	Justin Davies*	Matthew Allan	Luke Livingston
In:	Andrew Merrington, Justin Davies- late*
Out:	Brett Ratten (knee), Corey McKernan (knee- late)*

-*Late change Davies for McKernan

Milestones

Rising Star Nominee: Trent Sporn
Last game: Andrew Merrington

Brownlow Votes

3: Ryan Houlihan (CARL)
2: Darren Hulme (CARL)
1: James Hird (ESS)