The story goes that in the lead-up to the Round 16, 2000 contest between Brisbane and Carlton at the Gabba, the Lions’ resident full-back Jarrod Molloy told local reporters that he would not only stand Lance Whitnall, but beat him conclusively.
Whether such bravado made it back to the Blues camp is not known. What is known is that “Big Red” booted a lazy bag of nine - and bagged three Brownlow votes to go with it - in what was a comprehensive 23.18 (156) to 17.10 (112) victory to the visitors in that Sunday game.
Carlton captain Craig Bradley led from the front in this one, and Anthony Koutoufides accumulated 35 possessions despite the collective best efforts of Darry White, Chris Scott and Michael Voss.
Ironically, the pundits had Brisbane entering this game as favourites on their home turf, despite Carlton having been victorious in its ten previous appearances.
Carlton team v Brisbane, Round 16, 2000, The Gabba
B: 23 Dean Rice 1 Stephen Silvagni (vc) 29 Simon Beaumont
HB: 5 Andrew McKay 39 Ang Christou 10 Michael Mansfield
C: 31 Simon Fletcher 7 Brett Ratten 9 Adrian Hickmott
HF: 4 Aaron Hamill 37 Trent Hotton 16 Scott Camporeale
F: 27 Darren Hulme 8 Lance Whitnall 21 Craig Bradley (c)
R: 11 Mark Porter 43 Ant. Koutoufides 45 Anthony Franchina
I/C: 12 Matthew Lappin 26 Stephen O'Reilly 17 Scott Freeborn
3 Kris Massie
Coach: David Parkin
