Round 12, 1910
Carlton vs Melbourne
Saturday 16 July
Venue: Princes Park
Attendance: 5000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Carlton | 5.4 | 8.11 | 11.15 | 13.22.100 |
| Melbourne | 0.2 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 4.11.35 |
Carlton win by 65 points
Goalkickers: Stan Fairbairn 2, Harry Brereton 1, Bobby Monk 1
Milestones:
First Game
Cyril Steele
First MFC Game
Archie Pratt
Last Game
Michael George
Ernie McMaster
Only MFC Game
Tom Sadlier
Melbourne slipped to 1-10 with yet another defeat, as the hapless Reds crashed to another huge defeat. They'd had trouble fielding a side, explaining why they had three new players. If Carlton had kicked straight they'd have been significantly better off, but they never got out of first gear.
The game was played on a surprisingly good surface despite rain, but the Blues players were taking the game so casually that at the start of the second quarter Ford accidentally took off with the ball towards Melbourne's goal instead of his own, and only stopped when he ran into a Melbourne player.
Carlton's Gardiner also missed a golden opportunity, refusing the chance to take a place kick from a few metres out directly in front and instead attempting to run right up to the line where he kicked the ball into the post. It didn't matter, his side held control through the game.
Despite the shenanigans Carlton were still significantly better. Melbourne had barely been able to field a full 18 players until soon before the match started. In the end they had to field one new VFL player and two from other clubs.
Best were Pearce, Robertson and Coutie.
Media
Argus - 08/07/1910
Punch - 21/07/1910
Victorian Football Follower - Issue 14, 1910
Links
Blueseum match report