05 Draft: Top vs. Bottom

It was a battle of two ends of the 2005 National Draft spectrum on Sunday night at Telstra Dome as Melbourne played host to Carlton.

The Blues young gun and number one draft pick Marc Murphy lined up for his much anticipated debut while for the Demons little known on-baller Clint Bartram, the 60th pick overall, ran out for his first match as an AFL footballer.

Bartram started on the bench and had a quiet start to the game but proved his credentials with a solid first up effort including a stunning running goal from 50 metres.

Running onto a handpass at full pace, Bartram collected the ball and attacked the Blues defence. He broke through one strong tackle and set sail from the 50 to bring the Dome crowd to life. It was a clear sign that Bartram has what it takes to make it at the highest level.

However on the other side of the match Murphy could scarcely have played better. He started the game like a train and while slowing down for the second and third terms he produced an excellent display in the final term to help steer the Blues towards victory.

It was an auspicious day for Carlton, not only was it their rising star’s debut but club legend Anthony Koutoufides notched up his 250th match for the Blues. The Kouta must have been especially pleased to see that as his career is winding to a close the door is opening on what seems destined to be another 5 star performer for the navy blues.

Bartram belied his lowly draft position to establish himself at the highest level finishing with an impressive seven tackles and 10 possessions to surely cement his position in the team.

While Blues supporters will be running out of superlatives to describe their young charger as he ran riot in midfield racking up 17 possessions, 5 marks and 1 goal with his pace, disposal, handling and poise under pressure all on display. The Blues rallied around their young charger to cruise to a moral boosting win leaving Murphy for the moment in rare company as one of the only current Blues players to have never lost an AFL game.