heraldsun.com.au Herald Sun, Monday, July 9, 2007 41 + ROUND 14 finishing school Dees RED TIME >> CARRAZZO’S BALL make THE ball spent almost more time in ’s hands in the first quarter than most of out of it. Carlton’s Carrazzo had 17 touches, including 10 in the first 12 minutes. His effort was the second best chances since Champion Data started keeping stats, one fewer than Michael Horan Lion managed in a term against Port Adelaide MELBOURNE delivered in Round 17, 2004. caretaker coach Mark Riley a winning start to his >> NEWTON’S LAW senior coaching career with a hard-fought IN JUST his second game 23-point victory against a Demon Michael Newton wasteful Carlton at the displayed the qualities of a MCG yesterday. true forward. He had eight kicks, no handballs, and The Demons were smashed finished with 3.3. Newton had 44 to 26 in clearances and conceded more scoring shots two opponents, Adam Hartlett and more inside 50s, but they and Paul Bower. Between the made more of their chances to three of them they have shake off the Blues, who rallied played seven AFL games. to launch three serious challenges. >> In the second, third and final SLOW LEARNER FB123 terms Melbourne managed to slip out to a lead of more than FIRST-GAMERS always talk 20 points and each time looked about the extreme pace of set to break the game open. AFL football, and Carlton But the Blues fought back to debutant Shaun Grigg found regain the lead in the second that out the hard way. Twice and third terms and then, in in the third quarter he was the last, closed to within four run down from behind, both points. times by Demon ruckman In the third quarter Carlton Paul Johnson. After the kicked 2.7 to 5.2 and could

second offence, he was C have easily gone into the final summoned to the bench. term a couple of goals in front. The Blues may be pondering M what might have been had >> RUSSELL MANIA out-of-favour spearhead Y played, but RUSSELL Robertson touched

even in defeat the Carlton the ball twice in the first half, K supporters were treated to a but he kicked three goals in fighting performance from the the first 12 minutes of the most inexperienced team that coach can third term to put the Demons remember having fielded. up by 20 points, a break the PAGE 9-JUL-2007 DHS In the other goalsquare the Blues couldn’t reel in. Demons had the statistical difference between winning and losing in the form of >> DAVEY SPECIAL Russell Robertson, who IT WASN’T a day for Demon kicked five goals from six kicks. livewire to remember, as he finished Melbourne had all the answers whenever it was chal- with just four touches. But lenged, but couldn’t put he did his best to leave an Carlton away. imprint on the game with a Melbourne flyer: Aaron Davey didn’t have one of his best games at the MCG yesterday, but he made sure he got noticed The Blues conceded the first stunning goal tucked up goal of the game within a minute with this launch over Blue Adam Hartlett. Unfortunately, the ball came out on the way down. Pictures: COLLEEN PETCH against the boundary in the of the opening bounce to evoke second quarter. On the fears of a repeat of Carlton’s wrong side for a left-footer, previous two matches, a Davey managed to float a 41 100-point rout at the hands of high ball through a tight gap Hawthorn and a 77-point shel- between the big sticks. lacking by Fremantle. SECOND But riding on the back of a remarkable 17-disposal first >> BETTS ARE OFF term from Andrew Carrazzo and a busy onball unit, Carlton GOALSNEAK ’ trailed by only three points at first kick of the game was a the first change. goal. But it was his only kick It stayed that way virtually in a rotten day for the the entire game. livewire forward. Betts would Despite Jeff White dominat- have had a second kick, but ing the ruck to give the Dees a his mark came just after the 60-19 hitout advantage, acting three-quarter time siren and Blues captain , Carrazzo, veteran Anthony didn’t count. Koutoufides, , and Andrew Walker made sure their coun- >> MARKED DOWN Close again: Michael Newton rivalled Davey’s effort, but he terparts James McDonald, THE Blues took six marks Paul Wheatley, Nathan Brown, couldn’t make the ball stick either. Picture: WAYNE LUDBEY David Ward and Co. didn’t inside their forward 50m in have things their own way. ous year, to say the least,’’ but six straight behinds were the final term when shots at Riley said after his AFL debut. cancelled when one Melbourne The Demons better finishing goal had to be converted. But and superior decision making ‘‘It been an emotional year surge late in the term allowed they kicked only two goals proved the difference. and everyone needs the to kick a goal. from those marks. They and Michael emotional nourishment that A dreadful error in judgment kicked seven goals from 19 Newton kicked three goals winning brings. We got that by Blues defender Bret Thorn- marks inside their forward apiece to give the three mark- today.’’ ton allowed Simon Godfrey to 50m for the game. The ing forwards a cumulative tally As admirable as Carlton’s make the lead 22 points two Demons also kicked seven of 11.4. Their accuracy, in a spirit and tenacity were, lapses minutes into the final term goals from marks inside nutshell, finished off Carlton. were punished badly. before yet another brave Carl- 50m, but they took only 12. ‘‘I’m just really pleased for For a quarter of an hour in the ton comeback was thwarted the boys and pleased for the second half of the second term by two goals in three minutes Russell Gould footy club. It’s been a tumultu- the Blues attacked relentlessly, by the more efficient Dees. The difference: Russell Robertson made his touches count. +