19 March - Princes Park
Crowd: 5000
Melbourne 3.3, 8.8, 13.12, 19.17.131
Carlton 6.2, 7.6, 10.11, 13.15.93
Melbourne win by 38 points
Goalkickers: Ricky Jackson 4, Tony Campbell 4, Greg Healy 3, Steven Febey 2, Warren Dean 2, Alan Johnson 1, Steven Stretch 1, Simon Eishold 1, Glenn Lovett 1
The reigning premiers had won just one of three pre-season matches and continued their poor run with another loss to the Demons at Princes Park.
Despite early goals to Warren Dean and Ricky Jackson, Carlton hit back and took a 17 point lead into the first break. It was as good as it got the Blues as they fell apart under pressure. By half-time they were a goal behind, three down at the last break and six down when the match ended.
Best were Dean, Newport and Healy.
Media
Age - 21/03/1988