Happy 80th to Barry Beitzel.
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From the Blueseum
Career: 1955 – 1957
Debut: Round 17, 1955 vs South Melbourne, aged 20 years, 236 days
Carlton Player No. 696
Games: 2
Goals: 0
Last game: Round 18, 1955 vs Geelong, aged 20 years, 243 days
Guernsey No. 21 (1955) and 36 (1957)
Height: 182cm
Weight: 72kg
DOB: 20 December, 1934
Wearing guernsey number 21 and listed at 183cm (6 foot) in height, Beitzel played 2 consecutive games for Carlton at the end of Season 1955.
Beitzel was recruited from Sale via Morwell and Maffra.
Barry is the cousin of senior V.F.L. Umpire and long time football broadcaster Harry Beitzel. Harry sent his cousin a telegram before his debut match;
“Congratulations and best wishes on the big occasion. Concentrate on the ball always, and you will topple the best. Signed Harry.”
Barry won the 1955 Carlton seconds best and fairest award with 22 votes, runner-up was Barry Archbold 21 votes, and Kevin Bergin third with 20 votes.
Beitzel also wore No. 35 whilst playing with Carlton reserves in 1956.