GEELONG GIVES CARLTON THE BLUES; SECURE SECOND SPOT
B Jensen 17 May 2005

GARY ABLETT pressed his claims for All Australian selection with an awesome display in Geelong's demolition of Carlton last Friday night at the Telstra Dome. Just under forty-six thousand mainly Carlton fans witnessed what was a contest for a time during the second quarter, but ultimately proved to be a whitewash, with Geelong winning by seventy points.

Gary Ablett, along with Brad Ottens, kicked two goals in the first quarter, helping his team to a twenty-eight point lead. Carlton could only manage five behinds.

However Carlton did come back in the second quarter, but ultimately didn't make up enough ground, Geelong leading by nineteen points at half time.

In the second half Geelong would kick twelve goals to just four, the Blues barely putting up a whimper. Ablett finished with four goals, Ottens three, and last week's debutante, Cameron Thurley, an astonishing four goals.

Darren Milburn, playing his 150th game, had another night out at the Dome. Milburn and midfielder Joel Corey would just about be level in the club best and fairest up until this point. After last week's bag of three, Milburn kicked another two goals.

Henry Playfair, who's had a quiet few weeks, was back to the best we've seen so far this season. Matthew Scarlett had a great game but was forced from the field for a quarter, appearing to injure a knee, but should be right for this Sunday.

This Sunday Geelong play the Kangaroos at Skilled Stadium.

GEELONG: 6.3, 10.5, 15.9, 22.11 (143) DEFEATED
CARLTON: 0.5, 6.10, 9.12, 10.13 (73)

GOALS
GEELONG: Ablett 4, Thurley 4, Ottens 3, Milburn 2, Johnson 2, Kingsley, King, Corey, Rooke, Byrnes, Enright, Gardiner
CARLTON: Fevola 5, Waite 3, Koutoufides 2
BEST
GEELONG: Ablett, Corey, Milburn, Bartel, Playfair, Hunt, Scarlett, Ling, S.Johnson
CARLTON: Fevola, Koutoufides, Houlihan, Camporeale, Waite