Finals Week 2 – Melbourne v Carlton: Tradition
I came down early to Melbourne in this beautiful balmy weather and decided to go for a walk around the G.
Holy toledo! What is going on there are more fences around the ground than at Guantanamo Bay and there were at least 400 people waiting outside the Members Reserve and this is only a semi final.
The early birds apparently started arriving at 10am from Trafalgar coming early on the Sale express. Arrived at 10 a.m.
When I inquired why I received the time-honoured reply.
TRADITION!
“We have been doing it for years and hope it continues to be”. I would suggest that this is one of the few traditions left in our great game and should be retained. Members don’t mind queuing up early and in particular on a night like this.
The Melbourne girls helped out by handing out free icy-poles to all and sundry before the games. The Bluebaggers even took the red delights.
A wonderful first quarter as expected with neither side giving an inch (old term for centimetre). At quarter time the Fuschias led the Bluebaggers (thanks Smokey) 3 -3 to 2 – 2.
Both sides had equal use of the ball and the umpires were not giving anyone a free ride also.
Perhaps Melbourne should had have had a bigger lead but some indiscretion up forward led to 2 possible goals been given away.
Only a semi-final! No, this is football royalty in action the Melbourne Fuchsias versus the Carlton Bluebaggers.
There is security everywhere. I often wonder just how much security costs the AFL/MCC and this is at least 6 hours before the game starts.
Wonder what it is like inside the hallowed halls of power?
The second stanza opened similarly to the first. One wonders how long can this frenetic pace last? All the skills of the game are standing out.
The Blues break the deadlock with 3 goals in a row but then Melbourne hit back with the next two.
Umpires too quick with the whistle?
Another fascinating quarter of football with the blues taking the lead by two points. Nothing in it Carlton 5 – 3- 33 Fuchsias 4 – 7- 31.
It has been nip and tuck all the way.
De Koning who has been excellent all night and is starting the second half at full-forward for the Bluebaggers.. His price to go to the cats has just gone up.
Quick goal to Kennedy gets the Blues going but Smith bags his third to keep Demons close.
Its anybody’s game.
Eleven goes down behind play. Anyone guilty?
Acres has acres in the goal square and May goes bezerk, goal to the Baggers. Goal four.
However Carlton are looking more composed in their play.
Both teams starting to make mistakes. The speed and heat has got to them.
Fritsch and then Pickett (superb) kick goals to give the Dees a break of goal points.
Carlton need a goal before the break but they don’t get it.
It’s Melbourne’s turn to lead at the break . Demons 7- 11 -53 to Carlton 7 -5- 47.
If this trend continues Carlton should win.
Great to be a non-supporter of either sides at this footy spectacular. An absorbing contest if ever there was one.
In the first minute Walsh goals on the run and the scores are level. Owies (four touches all night) receives from Kennedy and goals. Baggers up by a goal.
Fritsch and Pickett have not done much tonight but they both goal and Dees up again.
It looked all over but Carlton came again through Motlop.
Two posters from Melbourne do not help but they stayed in front and then with a minute to go Acres again in acres and no one around him just snuck one in and the Baggers were home.
Carlton 11 -7- 73 Melbourne 9 – 17 – 71
What an exhibition of Australian Rues football by both teams who gave it their all.
Sam Walsh: best on ground in a magnificnet performance.
MELBOURNE 3.3 4.7 7.11 9.17 (71)
CARLTON 2.2 5.3 7.5 11.7 (73)
GOALS
Melbourne: Smith 3, Pickett 2, Fritsch 2, Langdon, Petracca
Carlton: De Koning 2, Walsh 2, Motlop 2, Acres 2, Kennedy, Curnow, Owies
BEST
Melbourne: May, Oliver, Viney, Smith, Petracca
Carlton: Walsh, Cripps, Newman, De Koning, Weitering, Saad
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Carlton: Cripps (nose), Docherty (shoulder)
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Josh Schache (unused)
Carlton: Ollie Hollands (replaced David Cuningham in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: 96,412 at the MCG
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At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named ‘Chloe on Flinders’ and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
It was a cracking game CB, everything a finals match should be, and it is nice to watch footy from an unbiased position. Melbourne will rue their poor kicking for goal once again, both their finals matches they were in positions to win but blew it. I must admit Carlton were impressive and I wonder whether they can maintain their form and intensity of play, Cheers.
Bomber – thanks for the comments. As you are aware I wrote that before I heard the news of Ronald Dale Barassi’s death. Of all the tributes that I have read this morning I have not seen one that related to the Friday night game between 2 of his teams Melbourne and Carlton. On reflection to me the game was like having 44 Barassi’s on the field. Devoid of many highlights except for the Cats recruit (12 Carlton) it was like how RDB played. Total commitment from everyone, no glamour just wonderful football. To me it was a perfect obituary.
Unfortunately for my team the Pivotonians Tom De Koning priced himself out of the reckoning for next season. He was superb in the first half and second best overall for the baggers. Tom mcDonald finished with Dees, he was lumbering around all day. Bad management leaving Schache on the bench although he does not like the tough stuff as opposed to number 14 Olliie from Carlton who made his presence felt.
Cracking game albeit i must confess i watched it sufficiently lubricated after attending the Newcastle Cup which I would recommend for those who follow the sport of Kings .
Schache selection goes down as bizarre and that’s being generous . McDonald wouldn’t have got a kick in Jack Holt’s stable and that was evident by half time . Why pick a bloke and not have the courage to bring him on and if you don’t have faith in him pick a smaller more versatile player .
HK – Yes you are right even though lubricated! The Dees supporters wont be happy when we talk tothem in the Members this week. King RONALD D B also would have been lost for words. HK – do you think some of these clubs have too many chiefs when it comes to picking teams?
Brilliant game and article CB.
Perfect tribute to the great man RDB 170410.
My earliest memory of him was as a pundit on the
ABC TV football show hosted by Harry Beitzel.
You could see how tough and determined Ron was after the car
accident with Neil Roberts when he left his hospital bed prematurely and
returned to coaching. He would wince in pain with his serious injuries but
nothing could stop Ron.
Your team is the Pivotonians.
My team is TGTOA.
Second was North in its heyday.
Never rated Carringbush, not after what they did to Bill McMaster.
Can’t remember Ron’s team picking hit men or snipers like opposition clubs.
He made and coached champion teams based on ability, character, competitiveness and fairness.
It is why Brownlow medallists and premierships flowed freely from his stable.