Round 15, 2001
Carlton vs Melbourne
Saturday, 14 July
Venue: Princes Park
Attendance: 23,901
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Carlton | 5.2 | 6.3 | 12.8 | 16.15.111 |
| Melbourne | 7.1 | 12.6 | 16.8 | 18.9.117 |
Melbourne win by 6 points
Goalkickers: Cameron Bruce 3, Jeff Farmer 3, Brad Green 3, Andrew Leoncelli 2, Luke Williams 2, Steven Febey 1, Troy Simmonds 1, Peter Walsh 1, Daniel Ward 1, Paul Wheatley 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Peter Walsh
2 - Daniel Ward
Best and Fairest
29 - Peter Walsh
28 - Alistair Nicholson
27 - Daniel Ward
15 - Steven Febey
13 - Jeff White
12 - Adem Yze
6 - Cameron Bruce
6 - Luke Williams
Milestones:
Nil
With seven losses from their last eight Melbourne were sent in rank outsiders against second placed Carlton at Princes Park but emerged shock winners. The win was set up by a seven goal first quarter, and though they conceded five themselves it still represented their best start against the Blues for more than 60 years. In all they booted seven unanswered and set up a 39 point lead at the long break.
Much of the Demons' success came from their backline. Alistair Nicholson dominated centre half-back, while Steven Febey kept Craig Bradley to one kick in the first half.
More than six goals behind at the long break the Carlton fightback was inevitable, and when Anthony Koutafides fired in the third quarter they started to chip away at the lead. They were just a point behind when a goalmouth scramble ended with a minute left ended with Brad Green kicking a goal off the ground to seal the result.
Best were Walsh and Ward who profited from Jeff White dominating the ruck. Nicholson and Leoncelli were also prominent. David Neitz played an uncharacteristic role shadowing Koutafides.
Media
Age - 15/07/2001
Herald Sun - 15/07/2001
Links
Blueseum match report