Round 15, 1997
Melbourne vs Carlton
Saturday 12 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 27,992
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.3 | 10.7 | 16.8 | 18.11.119 |
| Carlton | 5.0 | 10.3 | 13.5 | 15.10.100 |
Melbourne win by 19 points
Goalkickers: David Schwarz 4, Sean Charles 2, Jeff Farmer 2, Paul Hopgood 2, Leigh Newton 2, Shaun Smith 2, Steven Febey 1, Brett Lovett 1, Glenn Lovett 1, Anthony McDonald 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Todd Viney
2 - Glenn Lovett
1 - David Schwarz
Milestones:
Nil
Less than a year earlier, a lowly Melbourne side sprung a major surprise by beating Carlton, and despite heading for a wooden spoon they repeated the performance. Caretaker coach Greg Hutchison used Paul Hopgood to tag Craig Bradley, Brett Lovett on Greg Williams when Carlton had the ball, then as a rebounding option when the Demons won it back, Todd Viney against Brett Ratten, and Glenn Lovett against Scott Camporeale. It had the effect of curbing Carlton's midfield dominance and turned the game into a free-flowing running clash that suited Melbourne. Hutchison also surprisingly started David Neitz at centre half-back.
Both sides scored 10 goals in the first half, and the lead also changed 10 times before the break. Carlton took a lead with the first goal of the second half, before conceding six of the next seven goals to trail by 27 points late in the term. A late goal before the break, and the first goal of the last quarter, reduced the margin to 15 points. Then David Schwarz slipped his opponent for a fourth goal and Melbourne was home with their first triple figure score of the season.
Best were Glenn Lovett, Paul Hopgood and Brett Lovett. Jeff Farmer injured his back.
Reserves
Carlton 21.14.140 d. Melbourne 8.13.61
Goals - C. Robertson 2, R. Robertson 1, Hardie 1, Zorzi 1, Bradly 1, Donald Cockatoo-Collins 1, Irving 1
Best - R. Robertson, O'Brien, Bradly
Video
Notes
Some sources say Farmer injured his hamstring.
Media
Age - 13/07/1997, 14/07/1997
Football Record - R16 1997
Links
Blueseum match report