1968 VFL Grand Final

The 1968 VFL Grand Final took place on September 28, 1968 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between VFL clubs Carlton and Essendon. The game, between two of Melbourne's biggest clubs was attended by a record crowd for a Grand Final of 116,828 people.

Carlton won by three points to give them their first premiership since 1947, even though Essendon kicked more goals. There was a strong wind gust throughout the game which kept Carlton inaccurate and Crane starred on the wing for Carlton with 30 touches.

Essendon had got within a point in the 20 minute mark of the final term after a goal to Geoff Blethyn. Despite a goalless last quarter Carlton managed to keep their lead, thanks largely to 20th man Neil Chandler who took some crucial marks in the dying stages.

Teams

Aussie rules team old| title = Carlton
backpocket1 = Ian Collins
fullback = Wes Lofts
backpocket2 = Robert Walls
halfbackflank1 = Barry Gill
centrehalfback = John Goold
halfbackflank2 = Kevin Hall
wing1 = Ian Robertson
centre = Brent Crosswell
wing2 = Garry Crane
halfforwardflank1 = Alex Jesaulenko
centrehalfforward = Bill Bennett
halfforwardflank2 = Bryan Quirk
forwardpocket1 = Peter Jones
fullforward = Brian Kekovich
forwardpocket2 = Dennis Munari
ruck = John Nicholls (c)
ruckrover = Sergio Silvagni
rover = Adrian Gallagher
reserve1 = Peter McLean
reserve2 = Neil Chandler
coach = Ron Barassi

Aussie rules team old| title = Essendon
backpocket1 = Darryl Gerlach
fullback =Geoff Pryor
backpocket2 = Neil Evans
halfbackflank1 = Alec Epis
centrehalfback = John Williams
halfbackflank2 = Barry Davis
wing1 = Ken Fletcher
centre = John Ellis
wing2 = Russell Blew
halfforwardflank1 = Robin Close
centrehalfforward = Alan Noonan
halfforwardflank2 = David Shaw
forwardpocket1 = Ted Fordham
fullforward = Geoff Blethyn
forwardpocket2 = Paul Sproule
ruck = Don McKenzie (c)
ruckrover = Charlie Payne
rover = Geoff Gosper
reserve1 = Bruce Lake
reserve2 = Don Gross
coach = Jack Clarke

corecard

AFLScorecard2006
team1 = AFL Car
team1 abbr = "'AFL Car
team1 q1 = 2.2 (14)
team1 q2 = 6.8 (44)
team1 q3 = 7.9 (51)
team1 total = 7.14 (56)
team2 = AFL Ess
team2 abbr = AFL Ess
team2 q1 = 2.1 (13)
team2 q2 = 5.1 (31)
team2 q3 = 6.4 (40)
team2 total = 8.5 (53)
time = 2:30PM AEST
venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
date = September 28 1968
attendance = 116,828
umpires = TBD
team1 goals = 4: Kekovich
1: Crane, Crosswell, Quirk
team2 goals = 4: Blethyn
1: Close, Lake, Noonan, Sproule
team1 best = TBA
team2 best = TBA
reports = nil
injuries = nil
coin toss = TBA

External links

* [http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Grand+Final%2C+1968 Blueseum page on the Grand Final]

ee also

* 1968 VFL season