IT'S 20 years to the day since an 18-year-old forward named Brendan Fevola announced himself to the footy world in spectacular style in the Millennium Match at the MCG.
Having played just two senior games without kicking a goal at that point in his fledging career, Fevola stole the show in the pre-season Ansett Cup fixture played on December 31, 1999, banging home 12 majors in Carlton's 88-point drubbing of Collingwood.
A crowd of just under 20,000 witnessed Fevola torment the Magpies defenders with an array of tricks inside the forward 50 and pinpoint set-shot kicking.
Fevola would go on to lead Carlton's goalkicking in seven straight seasons from 2003-09, claim two Coleman Medals (2006, 2009) and earn All-Australian honours in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
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His jaw-dropping performance was the highlight of an otherwise one-sided game.
The match was over at half-time with the Blues leading by 66 points before cruising to the finish line, running out comprehensive winners - 20.17 (137) to 7.7 (49).
Having lost to North Melbourne in the 1999 Grand Final, the Blues were again among the premiership challengers the following year, finishing second on the ladder in 2000 before losing to Essendon in a preliminary final.
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The Millennium Match thumping was the first game in charge for new Magpies coach Mick Malthouse.
Despite the less than impressive start, Malthouse turned the Pies around quickly, going from claiming the wooden spoon in 1999 to winning their first five games of the 2000 season.
However, the Magpies won just two of their next 17 matches to finish second-last on the ladder.
