Round 5, 1966
Melbourne vs Carlton
Saturday 21 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 35,955
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 0.2 | 2.3 | 3.5 | 3.14.32 |
| Carlton | 3.4 | 6.7 | 8.12 | 11.13.79 |
Carlton win by 47 points
Goalkickers: Brent Jones 2, Hassa Mann 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Les Harrison
After disappointing up forward the whole year Melbourne picked their fifth full-forward in as many games, with Barry Bourke returning to the attacking end of the ground to take on the poisoned chalice that had already claimed Jeff Chapman, Graeme Jacobs, Ray Groom and Maurie Bartlett. The move was a failure and for the third time in five weeks the Demons kicked four goals or less for the match.
It was a day for records. Carlton won their first game at the MCG for 13 years, and Melbourne racked up their lowest score against the Blues since 1920. It was the first time Ron Barassi had been back to the ground since his traumatic split with the Demons at the end of 1964 and his side were presented the Ronald Dale Barassi Trophy for winning the match.
Mindful of the same tactic being employed by Norm Smith in the two side's first meeting of 1965 Barassi kept his team in the sheds, and the Demons waiting, so long that umpire Blew had to go into the dressing room to summon them onto the field. When they did finally show up it was a ruthless Blues outfit who took the four points.
Slaughtered in the ruck and unable to get any sort of winning combination amongst their forwards the Demons were cannon fodder in front of the Blues who won without going into second gear. Even in the last quarter when Carlton relaxed and gave them opportunities the Demons forwards could only kick points, nine of them to be precise.
The nature of the defeat plunged the club into open crisis, with Smith forced to issue an ultimatum to his players that they meet his demands or leave the club. He gave warning that he’d “drive them to a point where it really is going to hurt” and reminded his troops that his priority was dragging the club back up the ladder.
Smith was quoted as telling the players, “Even if it means losing half the side because you are not prepared to go all the way with me I would prefer it that way.” He also had harsh words for the experienced players, blaming them for not inspiring the youngsters and warning them they were on their last chance.
Best were Mann, Anderson and Leahy. No reserves were used.
Reserves
Melbourne 10.6 d. Carlton 8.14
Goals - R. Feldman 4, Knape 2, Moller 1, Watson 1, Dowsing 1, Knight 1
Best - Adams, R. Feldman, Massey
Under 19s
Melbourne 11.12 d. Carlton 9.5
Goals - Callery 5, Lade 3, Eklund 1, Johnson 1, Aitken 1
Best - Murnane, Aitken, Callery
Media
Age - 20/05/1966
Age - 23/05/1966
Football Record R6 1966
Links
Blueseum match report