OF all of the times that Matthew Lappin thrilled the Carlton faithful, Round 18, 2001 will go down as one of his best.

With the day seeing Craig Bradley notch up his 350th game, the Blues came up against a familiar foe in Essendon.

Having played in consecutive Preliminary Finals, there was no love lost between the Blues and the Bombers: a win for Carlton in Round 3 saw the reigning premiers desperate to respond.

However, it wasn’t to be.

The main protagonist was the man affectionately known as ‘Skinny’, who enjoyed a career-best season in front of goal in 2001.

Matthew Lappin had a day out against Essendon in Round 18, 2001. (Photo: AFL Media)

Given the opponent, the occasion and the predicament the Blues found themselves in, there’s an argument that this was Lappin’s finest game — and certainly one of his most memorable.

Collecting 24 disposals for the afternoon, Lappin’s craftiness in front of goal was on full display.

The No.12 finished with five goals of the game: his first two were typical Matthew Lappin, while his third was a piece of ingenuity on the boundary line.

Then, when Carlton needed him most, he came up trumps.

After leading all game, the Blues ultimately found themselves trailing by two goals late in the final term.

An Anthony Franchina goal pegged Carlton back — and then Lappin stood up.

With the final two goals of the game, Lappin sealed a seven-point win, securing three Brownlow votes and ensuring a Carlton legend departed the MCG triumphant in game 350.