Round 17, 1981
Carlton vs Melbourne
Saturday 25 July
Venue: Princes Park
Attendance: 15,196
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Carlton | 2.2 | 10.10 | 14.12 | 23.15.153 |
| Melbourne | 5.4 | 7.6 | 14.7 | 15.10.100 |
Carlton win by 53 points
Goalkickers: Mark Jackson 6, Gerard Healy 2, Kelly O'Donnell 2, Michael Seddon 2, Tony Elshaug 1, Greg Hutchison 1, Des O'Dwyer 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Phil Pinnell
There was a distinct air of homecoming at Princes Park. Not only was Ron Barassi returning to the side he'd won two flags with but ex-Blues Michael Young, Phil Pinnell and Brent Crosswell were in the side as well.
Melbourne, in search of their second win of the season, jumped better than the Blues and held a 20 point lead of quarter time. The Blues predictably struck back and held a 22 point lead at the long break, but seven goals late in the third quarter meant that Melbourne turned for home just five points behind.
Then Mark Maclure, well beaten by Mark Jackson in the backline, swung forward and booted four of Carlton's nine goals in a last quarter cakewalk.
"They are just so used to losing" said Barassi, "We know it's not fitness because we have had them tested".
As late as nine minutes into the last quarter the Demons were within a goal, but a startling collapse saw them lose by nine.
Jackson kept things entertaining by wandering through the Carlton huddle at both quarter time and three-quarter time. After the first intrusion Ron Barassi sent a runner to find out what he'd heard. He told all - and the Blues kicked eight goals to two.
Best for Melbourne were Michael Seddon, O'Donnell and Laurie Fowler. Gerard Healy suffered a cut head and Peter Hamilton a sprained ankle.
Reserves
Carlton 15.17.107 d. Melbourne 8.9.57
Goals - McGlashan 3, Bickford 1, Byrne 1, Gaunt 1, Tossol 1, Woodman 1
Best - Whitford, Byrne, Hedger
Reported - Glenn Giles (twice for striking, suspended for three matches)
Under 19s
Melbourne 26.20.176 d. Carlton 8.2.50
Goals - Cordner 8, Howard 3, McCarthy 3, Battiston 2, Bell 2, Fisher 2, O'Sullivan 2, Withers 2, Bergman 1, Ford 1
Best - Bell, Connolly, Ford
Media
Canberra Times - 26/07/1981
Age - 27/07/1981
Age - 29/07/1981
Age - 31/07/1981
Football Record R18 1981
Links
Blueseum match report