1913

"Carlton have all their regulars of last year keen and ready for the fray, with the exception of McGregor, who may be found in North melbourne colours.There are some problems before the selection committee before the army of recruits and old players are reduced to 25.
Carlton District supplies Williamson (ruck), Webb (ruck and half back), and Colvin (back); and the wide area of choice is shown by the following names of players who are attracting attention by their form.
Branston (a Tasmanian follower), Turner (a South Melbourne centre man), Rogers (a big back man from Wonthaggi), McCallum (a left footed forward from Warranambool), Cameron and Playle from Beverley), Kemp (a forward from Moonee Ponds), Shiels* (a useful place man), and Parke and Cowell who are returning from Melbourne."
(Argus April 18 p5)
.*Shiels an ex Melbourne City forward.
Kemp (Moonee Ponds) and Henley (Elsternwick) mentioned as two prospects. (Argus April 25 p10)

An amazing run of success ended in 1913, Carlton having played finals football for the previous ten years between 1903 and 1912, including 6 grand finals (1904, 1906-1910) and 3 flags (1906-1908). After a reasonable start to the year, 7 wins, a draw and 2 losses in the first 10 rounds. The Blues sat in 4th place after round 10, only 6 points off top spot and 10 points ahead of St Kilda in fifth place.

Three straight losses between round 11 and 13 still left the Blues clinging on fourth stop, but now only half a game ahead of St Kilda. In the last five games, the club could only manage 2 wins and was overtaken by St Kilda and Geelong to miss out on the finals. Carlton finished 6th in 1913, 2 spots away from the finals, after 9 wins and a draw from 18 games.

Success wasn't far away for the mighty Blues, the club would bounce back in a major way in 1914, not only contesting finals, but going the whole way to win the Grand Final and win Carlton's fourth flag.

At a meeting of the special committee of the League each club's suburban recruiting area was defined.
Carlton's being; Carlton, Brunswick and Coburg west of Sydney Road. Population: 70,000 (Herald September 12 p3)

Ladder

Blues vs Blue & Whites at Princes Park, March 29 at 3pm.

Blues vs Blue & Whites on the old Brunswick ground Royal Park, April 05

Blues vs Blue & Whites on the old Brunswick ground Royal Park, April 12

vs Carlton District (19) at Princes Park, April 19 at 3pm.

Carlton District are Carlton's feeder team or reserves, they play in the 10 club Metropolitan Association. (Their team had been listed below)
Better players; Gibbons (roving and forward), Andy O'Donnell (folowing), Williamson (ruck), Colvin and Webb (back), Rowe (roving and forward), Carter (half foward) were the best of the junior's side, the first five will probably be in the Carlton team.
Among those playing for Carlton, Cameron (a half forward from Beverley), Branston (from Tasmania), Shiels (a Melbourne City forward), and Rogers (a backman forom Wonthaggi) were the best of the recruits, and Valentine, Haughton, A. McDonald (especially), F. McDonald, Dick, and Triplet, showed they are already in form. (Argus April 21 p5)
Recruits Bristow (Warranambool), Cowell (Pakenham), Ashmore (Frankston), and Coates (St.Arnaud), and Carlton's Moran, Gardiner, and Johnson played well. (Age April 21 p10)
Carlton team;
Backs; Rogers, Johnston, Shiels
Half backs; Bristow, Haughton, A.McDonald
Centre; Triplett, Cowell, F. McDonald
Half forwards; Branston, Dick, Challis
Forwards; Ashmore, Gardiner, Moran
Ruck; Bowen, Coates
Rover; Balentine/Valentine
Umpire; Lane
Carlton District (19 named)
Backs; White, Stripp Cameron
Half backs; Lang, Colvin, O'Donnell
Centre; Schunke, Evans, Durston
Half forwards; Carter, McColl, Londerigan
Forwards; Bailey, Stewart, Grimater
Followers; Webb, Williamson
Rovers; Rowe, Gibbons
Carlton won by 18 points.
Carl; 2.4 5.6 7.10 10.12.72
CDist; 0.2 5.3 5.6 7.12.54

vs Yarraville 19 at Princes Park, April 21 Monday

Crowd; 1,000
"Carlton with a fine eighteen played Yarraville, and the game was interesting in its early stages." (Age April 22 p10)
Carlton team
Backs; Johnston, Jamieson, Monteith
Half backs; Bristow, Rodgers, Colvin
Centre; McCallum, Triplett, Challis
Half forwards; Kemp, Branston, Dick
Forwards; Gibbon, Green, Moran
Ruck; Wells (capt) Webb
Rover; Cameron
Umpire; J. Elder
Carl; 2.0
Yarr; 1.3
No further details.

End Of Season Trip

"At the season's close the team had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday trip around the Gippsland Lakes, visiting Sale, Cunninghame (now Lakes Entrance), and Bairnsdale." (Sporting Judge April 08 1914, p1)

Carlton played the Lake Tyers aboriginal team at Lakes Entrance on Tuesday September 16 and Bairnsdale at Bairnsdale Thursday September 18 1913. This was later disclosed to be the first game between a VFL team and an Aboriginal team in our country's history!

People of 1913

Captain & Coach: Jack Wells
Leading Goal-kicker: Vin Gardiner - 42 goals

Debuts

Round 18: Wally Don, Les Starr
Round 16: Harold G. Evans, Frank Hanna
Round 14: Harry Curtis, Athol Sharp
Round 12: Pat Ryan
Round 11: Justin McCarthy
Round 8: Willie Rogers
Round 6: Chris Cameron
Round 5: Dave Earsman, Alf Baud
Round 1: Wally Gibbins, Paddy O'Brien