Carlton are a good side playing very average football. Canberra is a very average side occasionally playing to their level.
From when Archie Thompson hit the side of the upright with an absolute blast that cannoned across the goal and out on the far side for a goal kick (!) this was going to be a tough night (for the third time this season) for the home side against the 'paperweights' from Melbourne.
Once Carlton scored, some of their confidence returned. Canberra were like a routine meal in sparce surroundings. Only, the guests cleaned up and took the points away.
There was a slight cool edge in the air and my mind often drifted to the 'Olympic Football' advertising ringing the stadium (no doubt to the annoyance of moronic Raiders and illfoundedly arrogant Brumbies supporters)....
I walked off through the fairyland of lights lush green grass and bronze statues, to melt into the shadows of anonymity cast by the Institute of Sport structures.... such was the match...