Round 10, 1963
Carlton vs Melbourne
Saturday 29 June
Venue: Princes Park
Attendance: 32,600
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Carlton | 2.3 | 5.4 | 7.6 | 8.8.56 |
| Melbourne | 4.3 | 8.5 | 10.9 | 12.12.84 |
Melbourne win by 28 points
Goalkickers: Barry Bourke 5, Ron Barassi 2, Ray Groom 2, Frank Adams 1, John Townsend 1, Barrie Vagg 1
Milestones:
First Game
David Robbie
100 Games
John Lord
In a tight battle for spots in the five, Carlton and Melbourne both entered the game in ordinary form. The Demons had won a week earlier, but hadn't won away from home all season, and Carlton had plunged from first to fifth in their previous four games. Both sides were missing two players on state duty, with the Demons without Brian Dixon and Tassie Johnson. Neil Crompton also missed after pulling a thigh muscle while demonstrating kicking technique to a group of children during the week.
The Blues were one of the lowest scoring teams in the competition, and their attack failed them again. They had an advantage in the ruck, with Tassie Johnson out and an undersized group of replacements. After a career best six goals the week before, Ron Barassi was required to do more work in the centre, but John Lord was the star of the ruck, constantly winning hitouts for his side.
Prophecies of Carlton breaking down in front of goal came true. Other than a period in the second quarter when they kicked three of their eight goals, they were poor in attack. Except for the wings, Melbourne won in every other position. They conceded the first goal, but responded with two quick majors in reply. Carlton soon replied with the fourth goal in five minutes. The rest of the game only had eight in its entirety.
The lead was out to 25 points in the second quarter before the Blues mounted a brief comeback to reduce the gap to six. Two late goals through Groom and Adams restored a 19 point lead for the Demons. Two more at the start of the third quarter further extended the lead, and while the Blues stayed in touch they weren't able to seriously challenge. They had the margin back to 22 after 17 minutes, then spent five minutes attacking without any score, only for Barry Bourke to kick the sealer on the counter-attack.
By dealing Carlton their biggest loss of the season to date, Melbourne entered the top four at the expense of St Kilda, but only thanks to their superior percentage as their win tally had them equal with the now seventh placed Blues. Norm Smith said "It's good to be in the four, but it is still a long way to the finals."
Reserves
Unknown
Under 19s (Match played Saturday 6 July)
Carlton 8.8 d. Melbourne 3.10
Goals - Harrison 1, Leitch 1, Culley 1
Best - Date, Davis, Mitchell
Links
Blueseum match report
Media
Herald - 27/06/1963
Sun - 29/06/1963
Sun - 01/07/1963
Herald - 01/07/1963
Age - 01/07/1963
Football Record R11 1963