It was Round 17 of 1991 when Adelaide claimed its first win over the Blues in their first encounter at Princes Park.

Rain had turned the turf to mud, but after seven trips to Victoria had so far yielded just one win, Tasmanian forward John Klug said the players were told to stand up.

“For us to win at Princes Park in the conditions was a big turning point for the Club at that stage of the season,” Klug said.

“We had been consistently flogged in Victoria prior to that so it was important we stood up, Graham Cornes and particularly Neil Kerley stressed that it was time we took a stand. 

“We were almost given permission to be a little bit naughty on the field and rough them up, to try and shake ourselves into gear by doing that. 

“Both teams had a bit of a go before the game and it was on from the start.”

Klug kicked two goals in the 7.13 (55) to 6.12 (48) win on a ground that had little traction due to an array of mud puddles.

Adelaide’s lead grew to three goals in the first-half but with clear possession, marking and effective kicking a challenge, Carlton was always in the hunt.

Unfortunately for Klug, who played just 26 games, he was not able to celebrate the win for too long - he had a trip to the tribunal booked.

“In the second quarter I did something I regret and cracked Justin Madden on the head and knocked him out... I was suspended for two weeks,” he said.

“I wasn’t reported in the game, I had flown home and got a call the next morning. The hit had been all over Channel 7 news and I was reported off that, the old trial by video.

“I flew to Melbourne with Neil Kerley and when we arrived the advocate who was meant to support us wasn’t there. 

“We thought the best defence was to say I was gangly, uncoordinated and because it was wet I slipped in the mud and hit Madden.

“Watching the video I knew it was the worst defence ever.

“That was the only time I was suspended because I really wasn’t a tough bloke.”

Klug’s AFL career finished in mid-1992 due to recurring knee injuries that left him sitting on the bench in his final game, which remarkably was against Carlton at Princes Park.

The Crows will face the Blues this Saturday afternoon, this time at the MCG from 2.10pm.