Round 8, 1957
Carlton vs Melbourne
Saturday 8 June
Venue: Princes Park
Attendance: 31,096
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Carlton | 3.2 | 5.7 | 9.7 | 10.11.71 |
| Melbourne | 1.6 | 5.10 | 8.11 | 14.15.99 |
Melbourne win by 28 points
Goalkickers: Athol Webb 4, Ron Barassi 3, Robert B Johnson 2, Frank Adams 1, Geoff Case 1, Dick Fenton-Smith 1, Ian Ridley 1, Colin Wilson 1
Milestones:
50 Games
Geoff Case
The Demons were in danger of falling out of the four nearing the midway point of the season after a surprise loss to second bottom Richmond a week before - leaving them with three losses from three away matches with a trip to Princes Park to face the joint league leaders in front of them.
Carlton won the toss and kicked with the wind, but in the early stages Melbourne's pace had them on the back foot. The Demons were wasteful with their opportunities, kicking six behinds in a row before Webb finally got the first goal in time on.
Despite overdoing their handball in the second quarter, the Demons captured a three point lead at half time through a late Marquis goal. Early in the third it looked like they'd run away with the game, opening a 17 point lead before Carlton hit back. The Blues missed chances with excessive short passing in attack but still recovered to take a two point lead into the last quarter.
Melbourne's strength advantage won the day, with Carlton's renowned half-back line crumbling under pressure. Their opponents Case and Tunbridge were the main attacking drivers behind the win. Up front Carlton's forwards were too reliant on short passes and relied on a resting ruckman to kick four goals. Melbourne was lucky, two defensive blunders gave the Blues chances early in the last quarter that they missed, before Johnson goalled at the other end to regain the lead. Late goals to Ridley and Dixon sealed victory, and the difference between second place on the ladder and dropping to sixth with a loss.
Best were Dixon, Case and Tunbridge. Adams played in the second half despite a broken toe. Wilson suffered a split nose. Brenchley and Sandral were unused reserves.
Seconds
Melbourne 17.15 d. Carlton 10.13
Goals - Wilkinson 8, Whyte 5, Unknown 4
Best - Laidlaw, Lay, Wilkinson
Thirds
Carlton 6.7 d. Melbourne 5.2
Media
Herald - 10/06/1957
Age - 10/06/1957
Football Record R9 1957
Links
Blueseum match report