After inheriting the number 22 guernsey from two accomplished full-forwards in ‘Turkey Tom’ Carroll and Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller, John Morrison played five matches for the Navy Blues in successive seasons at Princes Park in the mid-1960’s.

Originally from Princes Hill and then East Coburg, Morrison joined Carlton’s Under 19 squad in 1965. A determined and hard-working rover, he graduated to Reserves football in 1966, and was one of the beneficiaries of Ron Barassi’s recruitment to Carlton. Barassi was sensationally appointed as captain-coach of the Blues in 1965, and wasted little time in churning through Carlton’s playing stocks to decide for himself who did (and did not) have the ability to take the club back into finals contention.

Midway through 1966, Morrison put in a string of influential games with the seconds, and Barassi rewarded him with selection as 19th man in the senior side for the round 17 match against Footscray at the Western Oval. Although the Blues romped away with that game by 10 goals, Morrison got only a brief run in the last few minutes. It was a similar story the following week, when Carlton’s topsy-turvy season ended with a 70-point hiding at home to Geelong, and Morrison warmed the bench again.

Early in 1967, Morrison again had to press for senior selection through the Reserves. He was eventually recalled in round 10 – a corresponding trip to the Western Oval for another victory over the Bulldogs – only this time he was part of the starting line-up, and shared the roving duties with Dennis Munari.

Another impressive win over Essendon in round 11 was made sweeter when he kicked his first career goal as a roving partner to Adrian Gallagher, and the same pair combined in round 12, when Carlton accounted for Fitzroy in an absorbing contest at Princes Park.

Unfortunately for Morrison, the next weekend Terry Board was recalled to the team as second rover, and from then on Gallagher, Munari and Board were the coach’s preferred options. Despite some more good performances late in the year with the Reserves, John couldn’t force his way back into the seniors, and was delisted at season’s end.

Morrison also wore guernsey No. 37 (1966) and 45 (1963) whilst playing with Carlton reserves.