Vasil Varlamos: 17th June
Career : 1960 – 1964
Debut : Round 9, 1960 vs North Melbourne, aged 18 years, 1 day
Carlton Player No. 735
Games : 44
Goals : 0
Last Game : Round 15, 1964 vs Footscray, aged 22 years, 45 days
Guernsey No. 32
Height : 178 cm ( 5 ft. 11 in.)
Weight : 80 kg (12 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : June 17, 1942
Vasil Varlamos, who was born in Broken Hill, NSW, had a relatively short, yet eventful career at Princes Park from 1960 to ’64. A typically rugged half-back flanker of that time, he earned the career-long enmity of Essendon supporters when he ironed out the Bombers’ captain Jack Clarke in a 1962 late-season game.
On that occasion, he ran straight through Clarke at a centre bounce – knocking the Essendon skipper out cold. As trainers tried to bring Clarke around, the Baggers were hard-pressed protecting Varlamos from a squadron of Bombers hell-bent on revenge. When Clarke did eventually regain his senses in the middle of the melee, he immediately began raining blows on the nearest player – who just happened to be his team-mate Graeme Johnstone!
Vasil had come to Carlton from Mentone, and played his debut match in 1960. A stocky, hard-at-it type with good concentration and plenty of ticker, his first two seasons were his best, culminating in the 1962 Grand Final against – you guessed it – Essendon. Varlamos was kept out of the fray early as 19th man, but then took little part as the Bombers gleefully beat the Blues by 32 points. Following that defeat, Carlton went into decline and in 1964, Vasil’s tenure at Carlton ended when he was cleared to the fledgling VFA club Waverley.
It was fortuitous move indeed for Vasil, because the emerging Panthers were a revelation in their debut year, and swept to their first senior Premiership with a gutsy 12 point win over hot favourites Port Melbourne. Varlamos was rock solid at half-back in that victory, and went on to become one of the clubs’ favourite sons. Ironically, the Waverley colours were the same as Essendon’s.
In the 70s and 80s, Vas’ Father owned a fish and chip shop in Hughesdale, where he proudly displayed images of his son. A typically proud Greek father, he was always up for a chat about the Blues while frying up your potato cakes!
John Benetti: 17th June
Career : 1958 –65
Debut : Round 3, 1958 vs Geelong
Carlton Player No. 714
Games : 88
Goals : 15
Guernsey No. 8
Last Game: Round 16, 1965 vs Collingwood
Height : 177cm
Weight : 80kg
DOB : 17 June, 1937
Having been an integral part of the successful Parade CBC football team, John Benetti fancied himself as a VFL footballer. His cousin, Sergio Silvagni was also a dominant player in that same school team.
After much convincing from John, Serge thought he might also make it at the top level, so together they decided to approach the Carlton Football Club for a game. Both impressed in their first “walk off the street” session and were quickly assigned to train with the club. While Serge trained with the under 19s, John was sent to the Reserves.
Unfortunately, after John played one Reserve game in 1955 he was called back to play for Parade (school rules) and was therefore not permitted to play any further Carlton games for that year. He did his apprenticeship in the Reserves during 1956 and 1957, playing some exciting football for which he scored many “best” mentions from sporting journalists. However, his progress was interrupted by foot trouble, culminating in both the removal of a right foot toe nail and the top of one toe of the left foot, costing him many games in his second year.
He made his senior debut in 1958 and went on to play 88 games in the number 8 guernsey.
Brian Henderson: 18th June
Playing Career : 1964
Debut : Round 8, 1964 Aged 20 years 354 days
764th Carlton Player
Games : 2
Goals : 0
Last Game : Round 9, 1964 Aged 20 years 361 days
Guernsey No. 38
Height : 185 cm (6’1″)
Weight : 80.75 kgs (12.10)
DOB : June 18, 1943
Wearing guernsey #38 and listed at 185cm, Henderson played 2 consecutive games for Carlton after debuting in 1964.
Henderson was recruited from Brunswick City, he then graduated from the Blues U/19’s to senior ranks.
Unfortunatley we have little information about Brian Henderson. If anyone has any photos or further information about Brian Henderson please contact the Blueseum. Thanks to the Blueseum for player pictures and bios.