After four days promoting the AFL in the Northern Territory as part of the AFL’s community camps program, the Blues looked tired and lethargic as they were overrun by the star-studded aboriginal side before a record crowd of 17,500.
Carlton was never in the hunt in the hot, steamy conditions as the All Star midfield, led by skipper Andrew McLeod, created plenty of scoring opportunities.
The All Stars set up their victory in the first half, taking a 58-point lead into the major break.
Fremantle recruit Des Headland and Dockers teammate Troy Cook were brilliant, picking up numerous possessions and running the Blues ragged.
Leon Davis, Andrew Krakouer and Daryl White created havoc up forward leaving their struggling Carlton opponents standing, while Chance Bateman and Chris Johnson starved the Blues forwards by mopping up superbly in defence.
The Blues were expected to have a height advantage over the All Stars, but Adam Goodes and White competed admirably in the big man duels and gave their fleet-footed and skilful team-mates a chance to display their wares.
After half time the sting went out of the game with the sapping humidity taking its toll on both sides, and coaches Denis Pagan and Michael McLean rotated their better players off the bench.
Pagan opted to use five of his stars for only two quarters, with captain Brett Ratten, vice-captain Andrew McKay, Anthony Koutoufides, Scott Camporeale and Simon Beaumont sitting out the second half.
Koutoufides and Ratten, who were both sidelined with injury at the end of last season, struggled to have any impact, while Camporeale and Beaumont tried hard for little reward.
The Blues provided a stronger contest in the second half.
Rookie Jonathon McCormick worked hard at the bottom of the packs and snapped a fine goal in the third quarter.
Lance Whitnall, benched in the first half, lifted his work rate, and Darren Hulme, on the comeback trail after a knee injury ruined the second of his season last year, got better as the match progressed.
Otherwise there were few positives for the Blues. It was hardly the start they were looking for under Pagan, in his first game as Carlton coach.
While disappointed with the Blues’ performance, he paid tribute to the All Stars.
“They were an outstanding team and we didn’t play well tonight. None of our good players performed well,” Pagan said. "I'll tell you one thing, we don't have to play this side again this year."
Pagan said the Blues had an unusual preparation for the game, with their promotional duties in the Northern Territory.
But he refused to use that or the humidity as excuses and was confident his side would perform much better in the upcoming Wizard Home Loans Cup.
“It probably gives us the shake-up we needed. We’ve been very positive with our guys and fed them plenty of positives. Maybe a few of them just thought it was going to roll on,” he said.
“I’m sure that we’ll bounce back and be better for the experience and the occasion.”
McLean said his side was rapt to win the Syd Jackson Rio Tinto Cup so convincingly. He revealed the seeds for the win were sewn at a pre-match team meeting which he described as one of the most emotional he had attended.
“A few tears were shed and this was really special to them,” he said.
McLean was impressed with Headland’s scintillating display.
“Dessie won a lot of hard ball for us, and threw his body on the line. He’s got a lot fitter and he’s lean and mean at the moment.”
ATSIC ALL-STARS: 4.5, 14.8, 17.11, 19.16 (130)
CARLTON: 2.1, 5.4, 8.6, 8.9 (57)
GOALS: ATSIC ALL-STARS: Krakouer 3, McLeod 2, White 2, Williams 2, Davis 2, Cole, Goodes, Headland, C.McGrath, A.McGrath, Sampi, Cook, R.Clarke. CARLTON: Hickmott, Lappin, Ratten, Hulme, Plunkett, Davies, McCormick, Whitnall.
BEST: ATSIC ALL-STARS: Headland, Cook, Davis, White, Goodes, Bateman. CARLTON: Hulme, Whitnall, Houlihan, Beaumont, McCormick.
INJURIES: ATSIC ALL-STARS: X Clarke (ankle). CARLTON: Prendergast (sprained ankle).
UMPIRES: Avon, Woodcock, Rowston
CROWD: 17,500 at Marrara Stadium.
