John Comben: 13th June
Career: 1963 – 1966
Debut: Round 1, 1963 v Fitzroy
Carlton Player No. 751
Games: 38
Goals: 11
Last game: Round 18, 1966 v Geelong
Guernsey No. 25
Height: 175cm
Weight: 70kg
DOB: 13 June, 1944
The younger brother of Carlton legend Bruce ‘Bugsy’ Comben, John was a fine footballer in his own right, but one who inevitably suffered from comparisons with his champion sibling in his four seasons at Princes Park. He was recruited from Werribee South.
While ‘Bugsy’ began his career as a rover before making the back pocket his domain, John played all of his football on a wing. Wearing guernsey number 25, he kicked 11 career goals in his 28 games. He crossed to Melbourne in 1967, but managed just one more senior game.
Adam Bentick: 13th June
Career : 2004 – 2008
Debut : Round 18, 2004 vs Fremantle, aged 19 years, 48 days
Carlton Player No. 1082
Games : 68
Goals : 13
Last Game : Round 22, 2008 vs Hawthorn, aged 23 years, 78 days
Guernsey Nos. 40 (2004-6), and 7 (2007-2009)
Height : 184 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 84 kg (12 stone, 8 lbs)
DOB : 13 June, 1985
AFL Rising Star Nomination: Round 20, 2005
Adam Bentick captained the Calder Cannons to a Premiership in the TAC Cup in 2003 (a year in which the Cannons only lost one game), then was drafted as a Rookie by Carlton and set about building an AFL career with the club he had barracked for as a kid. After a number of solid games at VFL level, “AB” was given the chance he craved. He played five matches for the Blues in his debut season, and was formally promoted from the Rookie List to the Seniors for 2005.
After a few appearances at the start of his second year, Bentick was dropped back to the seconds. But as Carlton’s season began to peter out, our youngsters were given more opportunities, and AB was promoted once more. Some great games, notably a 34-possession effort to be Best on Ground against Collingwood in round 20, and a 10-tackle game in our round 18 victory over the Tigers, saw AB rise in the estimations of the common fan. It seemed as though Carlton had finally unearthed another in-and-under, hard-working midfielder – someone with a bit of agro in their tackling to add some steel to the midfield group.
Tony Bourke: 13th June
Career: 1998-1999 (On list: 1995 -1999)
Debut: Round 13, 1998 vs Fremantle
1027th Carlton Player
Games: 4
Goals: Nil
Last Game: Round 5, 1999 vs Geelong
Guernsey No. 40
Height: 201 cm
Weight: 91 kg
DOB: 13 June, 1976
The word ‘Beanpole’ is often used in sport as it in in life, and let me tell you, Tony Bourke is the Carlton definition. Bourke was a 201cm ruckman who weighed just 91 kilos.
Bourke played 4 games for Carlton but was on the list for 5 years. He was drafted in the 1994 Draft at pick 67 but did not play his first senior game until Round 13, 1998– his only one for the year – failing to gather a possession and just a solitary hit out. He managed to play 3 games in 1999, from rounds 3-5, managing no more than 6 possessions and 15 hit outs in one of those games but otherwise failing to have much of an impact- only having the 2 kicks in his 4 game career. The presence of Madden and Allen and later Porter meant limited opportunity for Bourke in the seniors.
Bernie Baxter: 15th June
Career: 1949-51
Debut: Round 7, 1949 v St Kilda
Carlton Player No. 632
Games: 28
Goals: 22
Last game: Round 14, 1951 v Richmond
Guernsey No. 34
Height: 180cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 15 June, 1929
Baxter wore #34 in 28 games for Carlton, commencing in Season 1949. He booted 22 goals for the Blues and was recruited from Werribee. Baxter was a member of the reserves 1951 premiership team.
Baxter had 2 brothers who would also make it to the ‘big league’, with his brother Ken something of a goal-kicking fiend at Carlton and Bill, a prominent player for the Demons.
Brent Heaver: 15th June
Career: 1992-1996
Debut: Round 15, 1992 vs Richmond
986th Carlton Player
Games: 64
Goals: 106
Last Game: Qualifying Final, 1996 vs West Coast
Guernsey No. 55 (2 games), 17 (62 games)
Height: 173cm
Weight: 73kg
DOB: 15 June, 1971
Brent Heaver was a right footed forward pocket / midfielder who played 64 games for Carlton in between 1992 and 1996. An opportunistic forward pocket with a flair for a goal on the run, Heaver wore the #17.
Heaver was originally from Melbourne, but Carlton recruited him from Epping. After a couple of seasons and 12 games / 12 goals with Melbourbe – including 5 in a game against the Blues in his league debut (in Round 11, 1990), he was delisted and picked up by the Blues in the 1992 Mid Season Draft.
Heaver played a significant role in our unsuccessful tilt at the 1993 Premiership with 48 goals from 23 games, a phenomenal output for a true pocket. At 173 centimetres and 73 kilos, Heaver was small but nimble. Despite his success in this year, Wanganeen of the Bombers would appear to have the edge over Heaver and “Heavs” would only kick 1 in the ’93 Grand Final.
Heaver played 15 games in 1994 for 24 goals, and only 5 in our 1995 Premiership year, with his last coming in Round 21. Despite 19 games in 1996, Heaver was traded to the incoming Port Adelaide Power in return for the untried South Australians Andrew Balkwill and Ben Nelson. Heaver would play 2 seasons for the Power before retiring at the end of 1998. In total, his league career game total at his three clubs were 84 games and 127 goals between 1990 and 1998.
Garry Higgins: 15th June
Career: 1975 – 1976
Debut: Round 16, 1975 v St Kilda
Carlton Player No. 854
Games: 7
Goals: 0
Last Game: Round 11, 1976 v Footscray
Guernsey No. 29
Height: 180cm (5’11”)
Weight: 76kg (12.00)
DOB: 15 June, 1955
Gary Higgins was recruited from Maryborough / Maryborough Rovers and wore guernsey #29, he played 7 games for Carlton after debuting in Navy Blue in Season 1975.
Higgins was Carlton’s 5th debutant in 1975, after Mike Fitzpatrick, Russell Ohlsen, Wayne Deledio and Danny Halloran.
David Rhys-Jones: 16th June
Career : 1985-1992
Debut : Round 1, 1985 vs Footscray
Carlton Player No. 923
Games : 106
Goals : 73
Last Game : Round 24, 1992 vs West Coast
Guernsey No. 26
Height : 188cm
Weight : 73kg
DOB: 16 June, 1962
Premiership Player: 1987
Norm Smith Medal: 1987
Superbly skilled, fiery, volatile – these are all apt descriptions of the enigmatic David Rhys-Jones. Originally from Oakleigh Districts, Rhys-Jones was signed by South Melbourne as an 18 year-old and made his debut for them in 1980. At 188 cm and 73 kg, he quickly established himself as one of the game’s tallest and best wingmen. He had pace, balance and wonderful aerial skills – but his short fuse soon had him regularly before the tribunal, and he was not popular with opposition supporters.
When South Melbourne were transplanted to Sydney in the early eighties, Rhys-Jones was one of a handful of Swans who asked for a clearance. Eyebrows were raised when it was announced that “Reese” was on his way to Princes Park for the 1985 season. The news was not greeted warmly by many Blues’ supporters, and Rhys-Jones struggled for wide acceptance in his first two seasons – especially when some brilliant games were indispersed with continued suspensions.
All that changed however, on Grand Final day in 1987. Carlton coach Robert Walls created huge surprise early by assigning Rhys-Jones to Hawthorn’s trump card – their champion centre half-forward Dermott Brereton. The Hawks’ star was 2 cm shorter than Jones, 19 kg heavier, and a proven big match performer – but Rhys-Jones played superb, disciplined football all day and Brereton was hardly sighted. Carlton won its 15th Premiership by 33 points. Rhys-Jones won the Norm Smith Medal and the plaudits (at last) of every Carlton fan.
Thanks to the Blueseum for player info and pictures.