Brent Crosswell
Career : 1968 – 1975
Debut : Round 1, 1968 vs Geelong, aged 17 years, 250 days
Carlton Player No. 802
Games : 98
Goals : 92
Guernsey No. 17
Last Game: Round 1, 1975 vs Geelong, aged 24 years, 240 days
Height : 185 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 81 kg (13 stone, 2 lbs.)
DOB : August 8, 1950
Premiership Player: 1968 & 1970
Brent ‘Tiger’ Crosswell was a brilliant, yet enigmatic star at Carlton during the Barassi era. A brash, flamboyant individual capable of winning a game off his own boot with quarter or two of inspirational play, he was also at times prone to infuriating lapses in concentration. First and foremost, Crosswell was a big occasion player – perhaps the best of his time. On a cold and wet day at Glenferrie or the Western Oval, he could often seem disinterested – but on a fine afternoon at the MCG, in front of a big crowd, he was tenacity and skill personified.
Hailing from Campelltown in Tasmania, Crosswell was discovered by former Carlton centreman Berkley Cox, who was impressed when he saw the 17 year-old playing inter-school football for Launceston’s Scotch College in 1967. Brent was never comfortable with the regimented college life, and so found an outlet for his youthful frustrations on the football field – even though he never totally embraced the close mateship of club culture. When they first met, Carlton coach Ron Barassi was intrigued by the skilful, highly intelligent youngster, and the pair went on to share triumphs and tribulations at two clubs during Crosswell’s 14-year VFL career – even though, as individuals, they were chalk and cheese.
Barassi, the fierce disciplinarian who demanded maximum physical and mental commitment from all his players, was often left dumbfounded by Crosswell, who delighted in quoting classical English poetry to his coach, and to his opponents. Seemingly unmoved by Barassi’s fiery tirades at training or during matches, Crosswell would simply offer to sort out the pairs’ differences later – on the tennis court, or over a chess board. These matches he invariably won. Then time after time on the weekend, he would go out and win an important game for the Blues with a jaw-dropping burst of football magic.
Michael Mansfield
Career: 2000-2002
Carlton Debut: Round 1, 2000 vs Brisbane
1037th Carlton Player
Games: 54 (+ 181 with Geelong)
Goals: 18
Last Game: Round 22, 2002 vs Essendon
Guernsey No. 10
Height: 183cm
Weight: 85kg
DOB: 8 August 1971
After Carlton’s surprise second place in 1999, particularly given the finish out of the 8 in the years before, the Blues set out to add some senior players to what appeared to be considered an emerging team. With a potent midfield of Camporeale, Koutoufides and Ratten, the Blues sought out 2 ex-Cats in high-priced trades (in terms of top draft picks) – both Stephen O’Reilly and Michael Mansfield were brought to the Club for 2000 in a sure sign of ‘loading up’ for a Flag. The Blues would give up pick 31 in the 1999 National Draft to secure Mansfield from Geelong. They would use that pick on Paul Chapman, who has gone on to play 100+ very good games for the Cats including the 2007 Premiership.
Mansfield had played 181 games with Geelong, and was twice All Australian in 1994 & 1995, the same year he would play against the Blues in the Grand Final. History will show that his opponent on the day, Brad Pearce, would kick 4 goals and be a key player in Carlton’s great win, but as far as Cats fans would go, Mansfield was a keen competitor who provided much drive from half back. It is interesting to note that two of Geelong’s better players that day ended up at the Blues, Adrian Hickmott and Mansfield.
Mansfield, who wore the #10, came over on a 4 year contract. Playing more as a utility across half back or half forward, Mansfield played 54 games in the first 3 of those contracted years. Mick’s best year for the Blues was 2001, where he played 20 games and averaged 12.2 possessions a game.
Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.