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Tickets for Round 12, 12/6 Carlton V Brisbane match at Etihad Stadium are now available. The cost is $50.00  per ticket due to an allocation of premium seating that we have been lucky enough to get, this includes entry to the ground and reserved seat, and finger food in the Spirit of Carlton room. Tickets will be sold on a first in best dressed basis. Justine Wratten will be unavailable by phone from 9-5 this week, please email me your ticket requests and I will respond at night. You can call me to book tickets on 0438271948 but please understand I will be unable to answer and will return your call during the evening.

 

Tickets are now available to our flagship annual Luncheon, this year celebrating the magnificent and gritty 1981 premiership against the Magpies.

Join with legends of the club and fellow supporters to experience this unique event.

 

 

Date: THURSDAY 25th August 2011
Time: 12:00pm
Dress: Lounge Suit
Venue: Victory Room at Etihad Stadium
Cost: $175 (all inclusive)
RSVP By: 29th July 2011

To get your application form please download it using the following link.

http://spiritofcarlton.com/blog/wp-cont … ncheon.pdf

Don’t leave it too late as this is one the of the must see events of the year. Tickets will sell fast.

By Bernie Shackcloth

 The Spirit Of Carlton’s inaugural Darwin Luncheon was held at Kantilla’s Room at TIO Stadium on Friday 27 May. While the ‘81 & ‘82 premierships played on the big screen the 40 or so guests were greeted by Carlton greats GS, SJ, AM & VP on arrival.

As MC, Geoff Southby started by telling everyone about the history of SOC and what it had achieved already. Geoff related the story of how Malcolm Fraser became the No 1 ticket holder & assisted the Match Committee. Syd Jackson told us about his personal journey from the WA outback as a child to playing in front of 121,696 people at MCG in 1970. He talked about how the racial abuse from opposition supporters inspired him & his involvement with current indigenous Carlton players. Val Perovic offered an insight into the club when he arrived following the turbulent 1980 off-season. Alex Marcou had everyone in stitches with his fabulous story about visiting The Lodge following the 1981 & 1982 Grand Finals.

Geoff Southby MC’d a Q&A Panel, guests asked questions from the floor which ranged from “who was your toughest opponent?” to “ How do you get Val Perovic to tell a short story?”

The afternoon was finished with Val as Auctioneer, where every item was purchased by the enthusiastic crowd.  

Many guest then regrouped afterwards to cheer on the Blues to victory at Wisdom Bar in Mitchell Street.

All those privileged to attend are hoping this will be the first of many SOC visits to the Top End. Go Blues.  

CLICK HERE to see pictures from the event.

The Spirit of Carlton Past and Present would like to wish Justin ‘Harry’ Madden a very happy 50th birthday today. Please leave your messages to Harry in our comments  section.

For those of you too young to remember, here is a summary of Harry’s magnificent career at the Blues (thanks to www.blueseum.org).

Career : 1983 – 1996 (On the list in 1997)
Debut : Round 7, 1983 vs Sydney, aged 21 years, 341 days
Carlton Player No. 909
Games : 287
Goals : 170
Last Game : Semi Final, 1996 vs Brisbane, aged 35 years, 106 days
Guernsey No. 44
Height : 206 cm (6 ft. 9 in.)
Weight : 107 kg (16 stone, 10 lbs.)
DOB : 31 May, 1961
Premiership Player 1987, 1995
Best and Fairest 1985, 1991
All Australian 1987, 1995

 

The Spirit of Carlton Past and present would like to thank all those who attended our function in Darwin last week. We were thrilled to see so many passionate Carlton supporters up in the top end. Special thank you to Bernie Shackcloth for doing such a marvellous job in organising the event. Val Perovic, Alex Marcou, Syd Jackson and Geoff Southby all enjoyed the event and the hospitality of the locals.

During the 1980s the Blues made the third quarter of every game famous as the ‘premiership quarter’. The Blues would routinely put the game out of reach of the opposition with a burst of goals, often in front of the roaring masses in the Heatley Stand.

It just so happens that not only do the Blues have a premiership quarter, but a premiership round as well. After hours of extensive research our stats team have determined that (obviously) apart from grand final day there is only one round that the Blues have never lost in each premiership year.

That round is in fact round eleven which has the perfect record, sixteen wins for sixteen premierships. So the more superstitious among us would be forgiven for hoping for a win against Port Adelaide this week.

For the record, of our sixteen premiership round wins, five were against Melbourne, three against Sydney/South Melbourne, two against North Melbourne and the rest  single wins against Collingwood, Fitzroy, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, Geelong and Hawthorn.

Read below for the full list of games, thanks to www.blueseum.org

1906

Carlton 5.7 37 7.9 51 10.11 71 11.14 80 Collingwood 0.2 2 3.4 22 4.5 29 6.7 43	Venue: Princes Park	Date: July 21, 1906
Result: Won by 37 points	Umpire:	Crowd:
Goalkickers: F.Caine 2, G.Johnson 2, G.Bruce 1, F.Elliott 1, M.Grace 1, D.Harris 1, T.Kennedy 1, A.Lang 1, I.Little 1

1907

Carlton 3.0 18 7.6 48 8.9 57 15.14 104 Fitzroy 1.0 6 3.3 21 3.8 26 3.8 26	Venue: Brunswick St	Date: July 13, 1907
Result: Won by 78 points	Umpire:	Crowd:
Goalkickers: F.Caine 8, H.Kelly 3, F.Elliott 1, V.Gardiner 1, T.Kennedy 1, H.Pearce 1

 

1908

Carlton 1.2 8 3.6 24 4.10 34 8.15 63 Melbourne 0.2 2 1.4 10 3.5 23 4.7 31	Venue: Princes Park	Date: July 4, 1908
Result: Won by 32 points	Umpire:	Crowd:
Goalkickers: F.Caine 3, V.Gardiner 2, A.Ingleman 1, E.Kelly 1, A.Lang 1.
Reports:	Injuries:

 

Game Review

This was Carlton’s 15th consecutive win, a run which started back at Round 16, 1907. If only the club had released a special DVD titled “The Streak” to mark the occasion! Of course, this record would eventually be broken on the way to claiming the 1995 Premiership.

1914

Carlton 4.5 29 6.6 42 6.10 46 7.11 53 St Kilda 0.0 0 5.4 34 5.6 36 7.8 50	Venue: Junction Oval	Date: June 27, 1914
Result: Won by 3 points	Umpire:	Crowd:
Goalkickers: B.Cook 2, S.McKenzie 2, H.Burleigh 1, G.Green 1, C.Hammond 1

 

1915

Carlton 0.6 6 3.9 27 5.13 43 7.15 57 South Melbourne 1.1 7 3.1 19 6.3 39 7.5 47	Venue: Princes Park	Date: July 3, 1915
Result: Win by 10 points	Umpire:	Crowd:
Goalkickers: H.Burleigh 2, P.Daykin 1, V.Gardiner 1, J.Morris 1, A.Sharp 1, V.Valentine 1

 

1938

Carlton 2.6 18 6.12 48 11.15 81 12.16 88 Geelong 1.3 9 2.4 16 5.5 35 12.10 82	Venue: Princes Park	Date: July 2, 1938
Result: Win by 6 points	Umpire:	Crowd: 19,500
Goalkickers:H.Vallence 6, K.Baxter 3, R.Cooper 1, R.McLean 1, J.McElroy 1

 

1945

Carlton 1.1 7 2.5 17 6.5 41 8.8 56 South Melbourne 1.4 10 2.4 16 6.7 43 7.8 50	Venue: Princes Park	Date: 30 June 1945
Result: Carlton won by 6 points	Umpire: Hooper	Crowd: 25,500
Goalkickers: L.Collins 3, R.Hines 3, A.Way 1, C.Wines 1.

 

1947

Carlton 2.2 14 10.8 68 14.10 94 18.17 125 Hawthorn 1.3 9 3.8 26 6.12 48 8.14 62	Venue: Princes Park	Date: 28 June, 1947
Result: Win by 63 Points	Umpire: McLellan	Crowd: Approx. 14,000
Goalkickers: K.Baxter 7, J.Conley 3, J.Baird 2, E.Henfry 1, F.Stafford 1, F.Davies 1, K.Hands 1, G.Bailey 1, H.Turner 1.
Best: B.Deacon, K.Baxter, J.Clark, O.Grieve, J.Conley, F.Stafford, D.Williams

 

1968

Carlton 4.6 30 6.6 42 9.12 66 11.19 85 Melbourne 2.3 15 6.5 41 6.5 41 6.7 43	Venue: Princes Park	Date: 29 June 1968
Result: Won by 42 points	Umpire: Jolley	Crowd: 15,234
Goalkickers: Gallagher, Kekovich, Jones, Robertson 2, Jesaulenko, Crosswell, Nichols

 

1970

Carlton 4.4 28 9.9 63 16.12 108 22.15 147 Melbourne 1.1 7 4.2 26 8.6 54 9.8 62	Venue: Princes Park	Date: June 15, 1970
Result: Win by 85 points	Umpire: P.Sheales	Crowd: 18,760
Goalkickers: A.Jesaulenko 7, A.Gallagher 5, S.Jackson 3, B.Crosswell 2, I.Nicoll 2, J.Nicholls 1, B.Thornley 1, W.Lofts 1.
Best: J.Goold (BOG), A.Jesaulenko, I.Nicoll, S.Jackson, B.Crosswell, A.Gallagher

 

1972

Carlton 4.3 27 4.5 29 6.12 48 7.15 57 Footscray 2.2 14 4.5 29 4.8 32 7.9 51	Venue: Western Oval	Date: June 10, 1972
Result: Win by 6 points	Umpire: J.Sutcliffe	Crowd: 23,948
Goalkickers: P.Jones 2, G.Kennedy 2, D.Dickson 1, T.Keogh 1, R.Walls 1.
Best: G.Southby, V.Waite, B.Doull, I.Robertson, A.Jesaulenko, R.Walls, J.Nicholls

 

1979

Carlton 6.2 38 9.3 57 14.8 92 20.12 132 South Melbourne 4.4 28 9.8 62 12.15 87 18.18 126	Venue: Lake Oval	Date: June 18, 1979
Result: Win by 6 points	Umpires: Peter Cameron & John Sutcliffe	Crowd: 24,771 Receipts: $32,347
Goalkickers : P.McConville 3, T.Keogh 3, W.Harmes 3, A.Marcou 2, P.Jones 2, M.Maclure 2, K.Sheldon 2, M.Fitzpatrick, D.Collins, W.Johnston 1.
Best: R.Austin, T.Keogh, R.Klomp, P.Francis, W.Harmes, A.Mangels

 

1981

Carlton 4.1 25 10.5 65 14.11 95 17.13 115 Nth Melbourne 4.7 31 5.9 39 7.13 55 11.18 84	Venue: Princes Park	Date: June 8, 1981
Result: Win by 31 points	Umpires: Deller & Smith	Crowd: 31,808
Goalkickers: W.Johnston 4, P.Bosustow 3, D.McKay 3, P.McConville 2, R.Ashman 1, G.Sharp 1, A.Marcou 1, W.Harmes 1, P.Francis 1.
Best; W.Johnston, P.Bosustow, B.Doull, R.Ashman, M.Fitzpatrick, W.Harmes, V.Perovic, K.Hunter

 

1982

Carlton 3.3 21 6.8 44 9.11 65 15.15 105 Nth Melbourne 6.5 41 8.11 59 11.16 82 13.18 96	Venue: Arden St	Date: June 5, 1982
Result: Win by 9 points	Umpires: P.Cameron & J.Morgan	Crowd: 26,206 Receipts; $45,531
Goalkickers: F.Marchesani 4, R.Ashman 4, P.McConville 3, P.Bosustow 1, K.Sheldon 1, W.Johnston 1, A.Marcou 1.
Best; P.Maylin, W.Harmes, B.Doull, K.Hunter, K.Sheldon, F.Marchesani, R.Ashman, G.Southby, V.Perovic

 

1987

Carlton 7.0 42 13.2 80 18.5 113 21.9 135 Melbourne 3.5 23 6.7 43 10.11 71 13.12 90	Venue: M.C.G.
Date: June 8, 1987	Result: Win by 45 points
Umpires: I.Robinson & R.Sawers	Crowd: 49,812 Receipts: $222,594.50
Goalkickers: M.Gallagher 3, J.Madden 3, D.Glascott 2, A.Gleeson 2, S.Kernahan 2, S.Robertson 2, C.Bradley 1, R.Dennis 1, J.Dorotich 1, M.Hanna 1, I.Herman 1, M.Naley 1 & D.Rhys-Jones 1.
Best: R.Dennis, S.Kernahan, C.Bradley, D.Glascott, S.Robertson, D.Rhys-Jones, T.Alvin, I.Aitken

 

1995

Carlton 4.1 25 8.4 52 11.8 74 16.16 112 Melbourne 5.1 31 8.4 52 10.7 67 12.8 80	Venue: MCG	Date: June 12, 1995
Result: Win by 32 points	Umpires: B.Allen, D.Howlett & T.Garrett.	Crowd: 53,290
Goalkickers: B.Pearce 4, S.Kernahan 3, A.Koutoufides 2, L.O’Sullivan 2, A.McKay 1, S.Camporeale 1, T.Lynn 1.
Best: A.Koutoufides, B.Ratten, P.Dean, B.Pearce, J.Madden, S.Camporeale

The Blues take on the Demons in a big Friday night of football. Carlton will be trying to consolidate a position in the top four. This will be the sixteenth time Carlton has played on the 27th of May, we wander down memory lane to relive some of these games.

Round 6, 1950 vs Footscray

Carlton	5.6	36	9.9	63	12.11	83	16.13	109
Footscray	3.1	19	9.4	58	13.7	85	16.10	106

Footscray full-forward Bill Wood seemed to have won this game off his own boot for the Bulldogs, when he took a strong mark right on the final bell, and lined up another shot on goal from only ten metres out on a slight angle. Although his team was four points down, he had already booted seven goals, and this seemed the easiest attempt of them all. But to the horror of every Footscray fan, his kick slewed off his boot and missed the big sticks, and Carlton got home by three points!

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Round+6%2C+1950

Round 9, 1978 vs North Melbourne

Carlton	6.2	38	9.5	59	11.6	72	18.9	117
Nth Melbourne	3.5	23	3.5	23	6.8	44	8.11	59

Although Carlton has won its previous two games under new Captain Coach Jesaulenko, they were not expected to trouble the previously undefeated North Melbourne.

However the first quarter they were super competitive, bombing long to Rod Galt whose height was causing the NM defence problems. The ball went from end to end in a very open affair.

The second quarter was a more dour struggle although Carlton managed to keep their opponents score to set up a comfortable half time lead. From there they maintained their lead in the third quarter then unexpectedly North Melbourne pretty much “threw the towel in” in the last quarter & Carlton extending their lead to almost ten goals.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Round+9%2C+1978

Round 9, 1995 vs St Kilda

Carlton	0.3	3	0.5	5	1.5	11	3.6	24
St Kilda	4.3	27	6.8	44	9.11	65	11.14	80

The crowd was down as many expected a whitewash by the Blues against the lowly St Kilda. How wrong we were, but we should be thankful that only 17,902 people turned up to watch our second loss in a row.

‘Buckets’ Loewe kicked 5 against the Blues, while Rod Keogh and future Blue Craig Devonport led the Saints in a rout of the Blues. Barry Mitchell and Brett Ratten found the ball but 1 goal in 3 quarters was as poor an effort as you would read about.

Thankfully, the Blues turned it around and this would be our final loss for the whole 1995 season.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Round+9%2C+1995

The big Spirit of Carlton event of the year is now only three months away. We will be holding our annual luncheon on the 25th of August, this year honouring the 1981 premiership team. The room will be full of Carlton legends and will have a cavalcade of keynote speakers, panel interviews and auctions of some amazing Carlton memorabilia.

For those of you have not had the opportunity to experience this event please have a look at the videos below which are from our luncheon last year which celebrated the 1970 premiership.

The Executive and members of the SOC wish our hard working executive officer, Bob Lowrie, a speedy recovery from his  bout of pancreatitis which has him currently in the Epworth Hospital.  Bob will be out of action until early June, so any inquiries should be made to Justine Wratten through her normal email address info@austpromotional.com.au

25th May: Alex and Hal Hanton

89 YEARS OF AGE!

Alex and Harold Hanton lock hands as they pose for the camera . . . and there’s a glorious symbolism in it all.

For the identical twins – whose lives have been shaped by the bleak ordeals of The Great Depression, the horrors of world conflict, and the relative diversions of post-war Princes Park – togetherness has undoubtedly proved the survival mechanism.

The recent years have not been easy. The brothers, now closing in on their 89th birthday – are both blind, and Harold is confined to a wheelchair thesedays – not that those physical impositions have tinkered with their recollections.

Harold Roy and Alexander George Hanton were born in Frankston on May 25, 1922. Harold preceded Alex by 20 minutes.

Two years later the Hanton family relocated to inner city West Brunswick, and in time the twins chased the leather for St David’s in the local Church football competition.

In August 1942, Alex and Harold enlisted for wartime duties in Western Australia, as signalmen for the Army’s B Australian Corps. Service would take them to Townsville, the tip of Cape York, back to Melbourne, and finally to Bougainville, before their discharge in 1946.

By then they’d participated in many a wartime scratch match with League luminaries – the likes of Les Foote, “Tarzan” Glass, Denis Cordner and the great Laurie Nash.

Alex relates a terrific tale of the time he and Nash crossed paths on a football field, in Townsville of all places, when brotherly love intervened. To read the full article click here.

27th May: Ted Hopkins

Playing Career : 1968 – 1971
Debut : Round 8, 1968 vs Fitzroy, aged 19 years, 14 days
Carlton Player No. 805
Games : 29
Goals : 10
Last Game : Round 1, 1971 vs North Melbourne, aged 21 years, 310 days
Guernsey No. 7
Height : 177 cm (5 ft. 9½ in.)
Weight : 68 kg (10 stone, 9 lbs.)
DOB : May 27, 1949
Premiership Player 1970

“Get ready, Teddy – you’re on”. These five words, barked by Blues’ coach Ron Barassi to 19th man Ted Hopkins at half-time in the 1970 VFL Grand Final, were the catalyst for one of Carlton’s greatest victories.

Our opponent Collingwood went into that epic final as hot favourites. The Magpies had beaten the Blues comfortably twice in the home and away rounds, and again a fortnight previously in the second semi-final. In the Grand Final they dominated the first half to lead by 44 points at the long break. In the Magpie rooms during the long break, the champagne was already on ice, and the back-slapping had begun. Collingwood and its throngs of delirious supporters believed that at last, they had another Premiership in the bag.

In the Carlton rooms, Barassi was praying for a miracle, and decided to gamble on a bold tactic he had been nurturing for years. He told his team to abandon the defensive side of their game, and to attack at every opportunity – from everywhere on the ground – using handball and hard-running teamwork to unsettle their opponents. He moved star ruckman John Nicholls to full-forward, Alex Jesaulenko to centre half-forward, and brought blonde rover Ted Hopkins onto the field in a forward pocket. For more read…… here.

27th May: Peter Hall

Career : 1971 – 1974
Debut : Round 12, 1971 vs North Melbourne, aged 19 years 22 days
Carlton Player No. 829
Games : 36
Goals : 13
Last Game : Round 20, 1974 vs Fitzroy, aged 22 years, 81 days
Guernsey No. 31
Height : 182 cm (5 ft. 11 in.)
Weight : 80 kg (12 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : May 27, 1952

Peter Hall was a classy utility who won Castlemaine Football Club’s Under 19 Best and Fairest award in 1969. That fine season by the 17 year-old impressed Carlton’s scouts, including our Chairman of Selectors Jack Wrout, who was very keen to get the youngster into the Old Dark Navy Blue.

Hall told Wrout that his main aim in life was to obtain a University degree or two, but while he was studying, he would be happy to pull on his boots for Carlton. He enrolled in an Arts Degree course at Monash University in 1971, and played his first match for the Blues in June of that year against North Melbourne at Princes Park. Carlton dominated all day to thrash the ‘Roos by 91 points, with rugged full-forward Ricky McLean kicking seven goals.

While Hall was a stylish player with good pace and balance, he was more at home in the spaces of a half-forward flank than taking on the ruck-roving role he was expected to compete for. Carlton’s brilliant midfield division of that time boasted the names Jesaulenko, Gallagher, Keogh, Robertson, Quirk, Chandler and three or four others, so places in the side were hard earned……

In 1988 – on the back of his high profile and sporting success – he stood for election to Parliament as a National Party candidate and won his seat with a comfortable majority. Since then, he has risen to hold a number of senior positions with the Nationals – in particular, as Party Leader in the Legislative Council, holding the shadow portfolios of Education and Resources and Environment. On election to Government in November 2010, Peter was appointed  Minister for Higher Education and Skills and Minister responsible for the Teaching Profession. For more read …. here.

28th May: Matt Clape

Career : 1995 – 1998
Debut : Round 1, 1995 vs Collingwood, aged 25 years, 308 days
Carlton Player No. 1002
Games : 58
Goals : 48
Last Game : Round 10, 1998 vs Brisbane, aged 29 years, 1 day
Guernsey No. 6
Height : 187 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 86 kg (13 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : 28 May, 1969
Premiership Player 1995

There are lots of great stories in footy; some obvious – like Premierships, great careers, wins from behind – and then there are some that you have to think about a bit more, like when a player is discarded by one club, and goes on to be a star somewhere else. The Matt Clape story fits squarely into this latter category.

Originally from East Perth, Clape was a lively, mid-sized forward who played 29 matches for the West Coast Eagles between 1992 and 1994 without claiming a place in either of their two Premiership teams. Despite misgivings among the Eagles’ coaching staff, he was then delisted, and picked up by the Blues in the 1995 Pre-Season Draft, along with Glenn Manton from Essendon. Both players proved to be great acquisitions, and key players in the mighty 1995 Premiership win by Carlton over Geelong.

At first Clape was groomed as a defender by the Eagles, but couldn’t cement a regular place in their team that was rich in similar types. When he played only six matches in 1994 it seemed obvious that his time was up with the Eagles, although coach Mick Malthouse later admitted that after Matt was discarded, he hoped that the decision “wouldn’t turn around and bite us on the bum,” which indeed it did. For more read …. here.

30th May: Kris Massie

Career: 1998-2001
Debut: Round 8, 1998 vs West Coast
1026th Carlton Player
Games: 43 (Carlton) (131 Overall)
Goals: 12 (Carlton) (TBD Overall)
Last Game: Round 11, 2001 vs Richmond
Guernsey No. 3
Height: 188cm
Weight: 83kg
DOB: 30 May, 1980
AFL Rising Star Nominee: Round 20, 1998

Taken with Pick #7 in the 1997 National Draft, from the Dandenong Stingrays, Massie was a star Centre Half Back in school (Glen Waverley High School) and junior league football. Originally likened to Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni for his bow legs, long hair and occasional brilliant and desperate marking, Massie was expected to become a key defender for the next decade.

At 188cms, this was going to be difficult. Massie didn’t grow any more, and the Blues set about using him as a half back flanker and occasional midfield tagger. Some promising games and a Rising Star nomination on the one hand, a fair few games in the reserves on the other: Massie showed a bit but not enough to command a spot in the team. Injuries didn’t help either. For more read … here.

31st May: Justin Madden

Career : 1983 – 1996 (On the list in 1997)
Debut : Round 7, 1983 vs Sydney, aged 21 years, 341 days
Carlton Player No. 909
Games : 287
Goals : 170
Last Game : Semi Final, 1996 vs Brisbane, aged 35 years, 106 days
Guernsey No. 44
Height : 206 cm (6 ft. 9 in.)
Weight : 107 kg (16 stone, 10 lbs.)
DOB : 31 May, 1961
Premiership Player 1987, 1995
Best and Fairest 1985, 1991
All Australian 1987, 1995

For much of the 1980’s and 1990’s, Justin ‘Harry’ Madden was seen as the goofy giant in Carlton’s number 44 guernsey; a smiling, good-natured, loping giraffe of a footballer who never seemed to take the game – or his participation in it – very seriously at all. Laconic, and with a wry sense of humour that made him enormously popular with supporters and team-mates alike, ‘Harry’ always claimed that someone as awkward and uncoordinated as him was a blight on the game.

The real truth is that Madden was one of Carlton’s great ruckmen; a 206-centimetre beanpole with outstanding tap skills, strong hands and a reliable left foot when shooting for goal. In a marathon 18-year AFL career that began at Essendon and flourished at Carlton, Harry played 332 senior games and kicked 190 goals between 1980 and 1996. Included in that tally were four Grand Finals, highlighted by Carlton Premierships in 1987 and 1995. He was voted Best and Fairest for the Blues twice, All Australian twice, and in 1985 went within one vote of sharing the Brownlow Medal with Footscray’s Brad Hardie. For more read …. here.

31st May: Stephen Silvagni 

Career : 1985 – 2001
Debut : Round 7, 1985 v Sydney, aged 17 years, 346 days
Carlton Player No. 927
Games : 312
Goals : 202
Last Game : Semi Final, 2001 v Richmond, aged 34 years, 107 days
Guernsey No. 1
Height : 194 cm
Weight : 99 kg
DOB : 31 May, 1967
Premiership Player : 1987, 1995
Best and Fairest : 1990, 1996
All Australian : 1988, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999
VFL AFL Team of the Century: Full Back
Team of the Century: Full Back
Carlton Hall of Fame: 1996
VFL AFL Hall of Fame: 2005
Victorian State Player: 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999
Mark of the Year: 1988

Track watchers at Carlton Football Club in the early 1980’s would have noticed a young Stephen Silvagni eagerly helping out at most training sessions. Whether it was retrieving footballs from over the fence, kicking end-to end with the players, or even helping to serve up the after-training meal, the skinny, dark-haired son of assistant coach and club selector Serge Silvagni spent much of his spare time at Princes Park.

It was a fabulous era for the Old Dark Navy Blues, with three Premierships in four years from 1979 to 1982. And it was a time of inspiration for the boy who would go on to forge his own magnificent career – one that would later see him recognised as one of the legends of the game. While Stephen’s formative years were spent in the close presence of some of Carlton’s greatest players (including his own father) Sergio and mum Rita deliberately kept Stephen’s football education low key. They encouraged their son to place his emphasis on his studies at Marcellin College, Bulleen while confining himself to school football. For more read …. here.

Today the Blues take on the Cats in what will be a big clash between two top four sides.

This is not the first time the Blues have played a game on the 20th of May. We will fire up our retrospectoscope to have a look into the past at some of our other games on this day.

1911 vs University

A very bad day for football and a particularly embarrassing one for Carlton.

The Students led Carlton through the first half before one of their players, Vic Trood, was felled. He was carried unconsious from the ground and grave fears were held for his health. Suspicion centred on two Carlton players Martin Gotz and Alex Barningham.  Gotz was charged with assault and found guilty, being fined 10 pounds. He was cleared after an appeal.

University threatened to boycott the return game in Round 13 unless certain Carlton players were left out of the Blues side. Carlton announced they would decide who was to represent the club without any input from outside and they would happily accept a forfeit.

A sick and sorry Trood was quoted a few days after the match as saying “I have no idea what struck me, but it could have been a cable tram”.
From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Round+4%2C+1911

1939 vs Hawthorn

Carltons’ shock loss to Hawthorn – their first ever win over the Blues after 14 years of trying, and 25 straight losses – was a costly one. The Blues were tipped out of the top four.

Prime Minister Robert Menzies, an avid Carlton supporter, visits the rooms of the opposition team for the second time this year – and Carlton lose again!!!! Hawthorn score a memorable win, their first ever against an inaccurate Carlton, the final scores; 13.8.(86) to 11.17.(83).

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Round+5%2C+1939

1972 vs St Kilda

The Blues celebrated Adrian Gallagher‘s 150th game in style, with this important win over rival flag contender St Kilda on their home turf at Moorabbin.  Gallagher became one of the youngest Blues to ever achieve this mark, as Carlton recovered from a tardy start to hit the front just prior to half-time, then controlled the second half to run out winners by 27 points.

After four emphatic victories in a row, the Blues now sat on top of the VFL ladder; two points clear of Essendon, Hawthorn and Richmond, with St Kilda fifth.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Round+8%2C+1972

2000 vs North Melbourne

The Blues would pull away from the Kangaroos in this Grand Final Replay in the second half to take the game by 5 goals.

But the headline result doesn’t tell the story of the day – Koutoufides.  Kouta was impossible to describe as he not only took Roo Legend Wayne Carey out of the game in the first half, but he went on to kick 5 goals and earn the ball 38 times (17 kicks / 21 handballs).    Throw in a leisurely 8 marks and this game was a testament to the power that Kouta was in this era.

The support staff, as always in 2000, were also good, with Brett Ratten getting 30 stats in his 200th game, Hickmott 23, and a great array of goalkickers as we pumped the Premiers at home.  As another bonus, Carlton would welcome a young Ryan Houlihan for his debut game.  Despite being a late draft pick, Houlihan would quickly become a regular in the team.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Round+11%2C+2000

Please enjoy this little video we have put together of Carlton teams over time. Thanks to the Blueseum for access to their picture galleries.

The Spirit of Carlton was thrilled to receive this picture of young Harry showing his support for the mighty Blues. Harry is the grandson of Tony Zoanetti, who played in the Carlton reserves from 1972 to 1974 (winning the reserves best first year player award in 1972). Tony is one of many active members of the Spirit of Carlton and a very proud grandfather to young Harry. Lets hope Tony, Harry and all Carlton supporters see the Blues put in a great performance against the Cats this friday night.

May 16th: Ian Aitken

Career: 1987-1992
Debut: Round 2, 1987 vs Collingwood
Carlton Player No. 942
Games: 61
Goals: 10
Last Game: Round 9, 1992 vs West Coast
Guernsey No. 22
Height: 190cm
Weight: 82kg
DOB: 16 May, 1967
Premiership Player: 1987

A premiership player and rookie of the year in his debut season for the club. From the Strathmore Football club like fellow former Blues Andrew Merrington and Glenn Manton. Aitken played prior seasons in the Under 19s where he won the 1985 Under 19s Best and Fairest, and the reserves before his debut and was a member of the 1986 and 1990 Reserve Premiership sides. A capable and physically well built defender, his best and most consistent season was in 1987 and his contribution to the premiership should not be understated. In his debut season he was widely acknowledged as being the VFL rookie of the year. Aitken was a strong mark and provided plenty of dash out of defence. In an exhibition game in 1987 in London, he was felled by a king hit from Alistair Clarkson of North Melbourne (and later Hawthorn coach) which broke his jaw. He never seemed like the same player after this incident…. for more read here.

May 17th: Denis Collins

Career : 1978 – 1979
Debut : Round 3, 1978 vs Melbourne, aged 24 years, 333 days
Carlton Player No. 873
Games : 30
Goals : 12
Last Game: Round 12, 1979 vs Geelong, aged 26 years, 36 days
Guernsey No. 1
Height : 178 cm (5 ft. 9 in.)
Weight : 85 kg (13 stone, 5 lbs.)
DOB : 17 May, 1953

Anyone who has seen the best-selling Channel 7 football highlights package “Sensational Seventies” will be familiar with Denis Collins as the Carlton player involved in a famous confrontation with St Kilda’s Robbie “Mad Dog” Muir, late in the last game of the 1978 season at Moorabbin.

Collins had joined Carlton earlier that same year from Footscray. A bushy-bearded winger/half forward whose key asset was his pace, he had played exactly 100 games and kicked 60 goals for the Bulldogs over six seasons, before looking for a fresh start elsewhere. At Princes Park, he was honoured with our number 1 guernsey for his debut match, which came against Melbourne at Princes Park in round three. Playing on a wing, he was solidly effective in a 13-point win, and held his position in the senior team right through the season.

The week after his clash with Robbie Muir, Collins lined up for only his second career final when Carlton met Geelong in the Elimination Final at the MCG. His experience, and his speed in the open spaces on the wing, proved valuable in helping the Blues to an emphatic win by 33 points. In the following week’s Semi Final clash with Collingwood, a tough, fiery encounter was indispersed with some brilliant passages of play from both sides. Collingwood jumped away to an early good lead and although the Blues fought back to within four points at the last break, the Pies weathered the storm and ran out 15-point winners….for more read here.

May 18th: Brett Backwell

Career : 1999 – 2001
Debut : Round 1, 1999 vs Essendon, aged 18 years, 310 days
Carlton Player No. 1029
Games : 18
Goals : 12
Last Game : Round 4, 2001 vs Adelaide, aged 20 years, 338 days
Guernsey Nos. 10 (1999) and 2 (2000-01)
Height : 171 cm (5 ft. 7 in.)
Weight : 68 kg (10 stone, 9 lbs.)
DOB : 18 May, 1980
AFL Rising Star Nominee: Round 3, 1999

In light of his achievements after he left Princes Park, it is not hard to conclude that perhaps Carlton was a little premature in delisting rover Brett Backwell in 2001. Recruited from West Brisbane via the Northern Eagles (he also played for West Brisbane & Western Taipans), ‘Mouse’ Backwell was the first of our recruits from the 1998 National Draft to play a senior game, despite being the last one drafted at pick 67. The earlier choices, Murray Vance and Brendan Fevola, played in the reserves for most of the season, while Ian Prendergast was hampered by injury and did not get his call-up until 2001.

Backwell’s football pedigree was impressive. His father, Owen Backwell, was a skilful, hard-running rover who represented Queensland 20 times in interstate matches, and played more than 300 games for Western Districts. He also played with Fitzroy for a season where he notched up 10 games. Twice a Grogan Medallist as Best and Fairest in the QAFL, he was the competition’s leading goal-kicker in 1977, and a driving force in Wests’ Premiership double in 1977-78……for more read here.

May 20th: Scott Freeborn

Career: 2000-2002 (Listed Player: 1998-2003)
Debut: Round 5, 2000 vs Essendon
1039th Carlton Player
Games: 48
Goals: 17
Last Game: Round 9, 2002 vs Adelaide
Guernsey No. 17
Height: 183cm
Weight: 87kg
DOB: 20 May,1978

Scott Freeborn was a blonde-haired left footer originally rookied by the Blues in 1998. Brother of Collingwood / Kangaroo player Glen, Scott played 48 games for the Blues between 2000 and 2002. He was recruited from Port Adelaide Magpies, but also played for Woodville-West Torrens.

Freeborn’s time on the rookie list was spent on the wing and half forward, in the #46 guernsey. His form was sufficient to be promoted by season 2000, when he made the seniors for the Round 5 clash against the Bombers. Over the season, he played as a defensive midfielder where his strength and endurance were most useful….. for more read here.

May 21st: Kevin Hall

Playing Career : 1963-1973
Debut: Round 12, 1963 Aged 19 years 66 days
756th Carlton Player
Games : 169
Goals : 51
Last Game: Grand Final, 1973 Aged 29 years 130 days
Guernsey No. 3
Height : 188 cm (6′ 2″)
Weight : 89 kg (14.00)
DOB : May 21, 1944
Premiership Player 1968, 1970, 1972
Carlton Hall of Fame (1999)

Kevin “Racehorse” Hall was a solid, reliable, often inspirational member of three Premiership teams for the Blues, and later, a valuable and long-serving committee and board member.

He was a somewhat reluctant recruit when he arrived at Princes Park in the summer of 1962, because until then he had wanted to play for Footscray. Although he was a Carlton local (from West Preston YCW) the Bulldogs chased hard after the strapping 19 year-old, 191 cm, 83 kg centre half-forward and the Blues were lucky to hold him.

His form in the 1963 pre-season practice matches was impressive, so Carlton assigned him guernsey number 3 and he made his senior debut that year as a forward. Later he was tried in defence, and found his niche on a half-back flank. Tall, very quick for his size and a strong mark, he proved to be a wonderful big occasion player. By 1968 the stands and the fences at Princes Park were echoing to the roar of “Go, Racehorse!” as Kevin went for one of his regular downfield dashes. In September of that year, Hall was a one of the unsung heroes in the Blues’ fighting three point Grand Final victory over Essendon – a low-scoring, dour struggle in which the Bomber half-forward line had little influence…. for more read here.

May 23rd: Rod Waddell

Career : 1981 – 1982
Debut : Round 18, 1981 vs Geelong, aged 23 years, 70 days
Carlton Player No. 898
Games : 5
Goals : 2
Last Game : Round 8, 1982 vs Footscray, aged 24 years, 357 days
Guernsey No. 10
Height : 178 cm (5 ft. 10 in.)
Weight : 76 kg (12 stone, 0 lbs.)
DOB: 23 May, 1957

Rodney Steven Waddell was a talented, pacey, part-aboriginal footballer who forced his way into one of the strongest Carlton teams ever assembled when he made his debut for the Blues on the eve of the 1981 finals. Although he was a reluctant recruit at first – having already played Reserves football at Collingwood – Carlton claimed him under the VFL zoning rules in force at the time, and Rod eventually played five matches while the Navy Blues won back to back flags in 1981-82.

Waddell began his senior football career with Southern Districts in NSW, but it was his slashing performance as a ruck-rover for Lalor in the 1980 Diamond Valley Football League Grand Final, against Reservoir-Lakeside, that made VFL scouts take notice. Collingwood and Carlton soon became involved in a tug of war over his services, and the Magpies seemed to have come out on top when Waddell turned out for two Reserves games with them early in 1981. Carlton however, was convinced that the 23 year-old was residentially tied to us, and a VFL investigation quickly agreed. Collingwood were fined $500 for flaunting the zoning rules, and stripped of the four competition points they had earned with Waddell in their team. Rod was then welcomed to Princes Park, and presented with our number 10 guernsey….for more read here.

Tickets for Round 9 20/5 Carlton V Geelong match at Etihad Stadium, are being sold early and will be on sale as of now. The cost is $50.00  per ticket which includes entry to the ground and reserved seat, and finger food in the Spirit of Carlton room. Tickets will be sold on a first in best dressed basis. To book tickets call Justine on 0438271948,  between the hours of 9am-5pm.

 

May 9th: Mick Gallagher

Career: 1987-1989
Debut: Round 7, 1987 vs Geelong
945th Carlton Player
Games: 16
Goals: 17
Last Game: Round 16, 1989 vs Footscray
Guernsey No. 29
Height: 196cm
Weight: 86kg
DOB: 9 May, 1966

Michael Gallagher, recruited from Bendigo club Golden Square, played 16 games for Carlton commencing in Season 1987, kicking 17 goals. Standing at 196cm, Gallagher wore the #29 guernsey and was a mobile goal-kicking forward come ruckman.

He debuted on his 21st birthday just a day after Peter Motley‘s career ending car crash and played his last senior game in the draw against Footscray in 1989. Gallagher kicked three goals on debut, but tragically in his debut season, he was curtailed by a serious knee injury that arguably cost him a place in that years’ premiership team…. for more read this.

May 10th: Scott Howell

Career : 1980 – 1985
Debut : Semi Final, 1980 vs Collingwood, aged 22 years, 126 days
Carlton Player No. 866
Games : 39
Goals : 12
Last Game: Round 6, 1985 vs Essendon, aged 26 years, 359 days
Guernsey Nos. 40 (1980-82) & 12 (1983-85)
Height : 193 cm (6 ft. 4 in.)
Weight : 88 kg (13 stone, 12 lbs.)
DOB: May 10, 1958
Premiership Player: 1981

The only third-generation Premiership player in VFL/AFL history, Scott Howell spent nine seasons at Princes Park, beginning with the Under 19 team in 1976. Like his champion father Jack ‘Chooka’ Howell, Scott was a loyal servant of the Blues, and he made the most of his ability with a memorable game in the 1981 Grand Final.

‘Chooka’ Howell played 137 times for Carlton from 1942 to 1954, including the desperately-close ’47 Premiership victory over Essendon. Chooka’s father, Jack senior, had been widely regarded as Best on Ground when South Melbourne beat Collingwood for the 1918 flag. So Scott’s triumphant victory – over the same opponent as his grandfather’s team had vanquished – completed the Howell’s unique achievement of three Premierships in successive generations….for more read here.

May 12th: Adrian Gallagher

Career : 1964-1972
Debut: Round 6, 1964 Aged 18 years 11 days
762nd Carlton Player
Games : 165
Goals : 236
Last Game: Grand Final, 1972 Aged 26 years 148 days
Guernsey No : 10
Height : 179cm (5’10½”)
Weight : 72kg (11.5)
DOB : May 12, 1946
Premiership Player: 1968, 1970, 1972
Best and Fairest: 1970
Leading Goalkicker: 1966
Carlton Hall of Fame (1992)
Team of the Century

Carlton’s history is lavishly embroidered with the deeds of its little blokes; the rovers, the wingmen; the forward and back pocket players who have brought glory to themselves and this great club for more than 140 years.

So whenever the question is asked, ‘who was the best of all Carlton’s small men?’ a lively debate is assured. One thing is certain however; the name of Adrian ‘Gags’ Gallagher will feature prominently in any discussion. Over eight seasons, Gallagher was an integral part of the greatest first ruck of all. He developed an instinctive, almost telepathic combination with champion ruckman John Nicholls and ruck-rover Serge Silvagni in an era when this trio were the platform for two Carlton Premierships.

Gags was recruited by Carlton in 1960 from Yarram in Gippsland, in his time at the Blues he played in the U/15’s, U/17’s and then to the U/19’s. In 1963 he was Carlton’s best player in their U/19’s premiership, won the club’s best and fairest award and finished third in the competition’s best player award, the Morrish Medal. By that time Nicholls and Silvagni had been team-mates for three seasons, and in the 179 cm, 73 kg red-headed youngster, the two emerging stars found their perfect foil. Gallagher was not particularly quick across the ground – he didn’t need to be. He was a terrific reader of the play and a great crumber off the packs. His disposal skills – by hand or foot – were excellent, and he was a tough, durable competitor…..for more read here.

May 13th: Vin Catoggio

Career : 1973-1976, 1978-1980
Debut : Round 7, 1973 vs Collingwood, aged 19 years, 6 days
Carlton Player No. 839
Games : 71
Goals : 97
Last game : Qualifying Final, 1980 vs Richmond, aged 26 years, 116 days
Guernsey No. 4
Height : 178 cm (5 ft. 10 in.)
Weight : 77 kg (12 stone, 3 lbs.)
DOB : 13 May, 1954

Vincenzo “the Cat” Catoggio was a pacy, skilful, lightly-framed rover from Princes Hill. Also later called “Spinner” for his elusiveness, he won the Morrish Medal as Best & Fairest in the VFL Under 19 competition while playing for Carlton in 1972, then followed up by winning the Gardiner Medal for the Reserves competition in 1973. During that same year, he made his debut off the reserves bench for the senior team in Carlton’s big win over Collingwood in round 7. After just one more appearance (again, as a reserve) in round 8, the 19 year-old played out the rest of the year in the lower grade – until he was a shock selection in the Blues’starting line-up against Richmond in the 1973 Grand Final.

Carlton was defending their title hard-won in a boilover the previous season against the Tigers, who were hell-bent on revenge. In typical fashion they targeted a number of key Carlton stars that day and set about knocking them out of the game. By half-time, Blues captain-coach John Nicholls, along with key defenders Geoff Southby and Kevin Hall were all concussed. Several others, including Catoggio, were still on their feet, but hurt. Richmond dominated the second half to win by 30 points, and Vinny did not see out the game….. for more read here.

May 14th: Robbert Klomp

Career : 1979-1983
Debut : Round 3, 1979 vs Essendon
Carlton Player No. 878
Games : 84
Goals : 17
Last game : Round 11, 1983 vs Essendon
Guernsey No. 22
Height : 183cm
Weight : 89kg
DOB : 14 May, 1955
Premiership Player: 1979 & 1982

Mention the name Robbert Klomp to any keen Carlton supporter over the age of forty, and you will probably get an answer something like; “oh yes – the bloke that won the television.” More on this fabled subject later.

First, the player himself. Robbert “Clippity” Klomp arrived at Princes Park in the summer of 1979 from SA club Sturt. At 23 years of age, 183 cm and 89 kg, he was rated among the best defenders in the country, having played SANFL football for four years and represented his state. After a short court case Robbert along with fellow Carlton players Vin Catoggio and Geoff Ironmonger, both from Subiaco were cleared to Carlton just prior to the opening game of the 1979 season against Essendon at VFL Park Waverley and in the number 22 guernsey, he slotted straight into a powerful Carlton lineup and soon made one half-back flank his own. Along with fellow debutants Peter Francis, Wayne Johnston and Alex Marcou, Robbert played his first League game in Carlton’s first game of 1979 against Essendon and by the end of the season after playing in all 24 games had won Carlton’s Best First Year Player Award….for more read here.

May 15th: Adrian Deluca

Career: 2004-2006
Debut: Round 1, 2004 vs Fremantle
1069th Carlton Player
Games: 46
Goals: 22
Last Game: Round 22, 2006 vs. Sydney
Height: 202cm
Weight: 99kg
Guernsey No. 26
DOB: 15 May, 1982

Deluca was drafted at Pick 72 in the 2003 National Draft. Wearing the #26, Deluca was picked up as a ruckman from the VFL from Port Melbourne but was played more as a forward. He played TAC Cup at the Oakleigh Chargers U/18’s, and before that with the Panthers.

He started very well in 2004, playing all 22 games. In 2005, stress fractures reduced his input to 11 games. His possessions count dropped marginally from 8.1 to 7.6 per game despite playing more as an on-baller. He kicked 6.3 in 2005 after kicking 8.6 in 2004.

Deluca would finally enjoy an injury free year in 2006 but would have to compete with a number of other tall forwards and ruckmen at the Club and at times was squeezed out of the team. He would play 11 games in 2006, taking him to 46 games over his 3 years. Deluca played in Rounds 1-5, 7-8, 12-15 and 21-22 in a variety of roles, including a half forward flanker early in the season, forward pocket in the middle and at all times an occasional ruckman where the Blues search for back-up for Barnaby French continued. Kicking 8 goals from those 11 games, Deluca played predominantly forward but – for the exception of 1 quarter in Round 12, 2006 where he would break open the packs and kick 3 goals against the Roos – would not be able to take the games by the scruff of the neck. Deluca adopted the use of gloves in 2006, in an effort to improve his marking, which appeared to work….for more read here.

Event cancelled.

3rd April: Peter Green

Career: 1994
Debut and only Game: Round 10, 1994 vs Footscray
998th Carlton Player
Goals: Nil
Guernsey No. 37
Height: 186cm
Weight: 86kg
DOB: 3 May, 1974

Peter Green was recruited from Sydney who recruited him from Barellan NSW, which is east of Griffith in the Riverina. Green was a mid-sized defensive utility who played the solitary game with Carlton.

The game in question was the Round 10 game versus the Bulldogs at Princes Park, 1994 that Carlton won by 12 points. Green was brought on to the field in the second quarter, and missed a tackle (from memory), and was taken off after only a few minutes. After some strong performances in the seconds, Green was only afforded a short ‘time in the sun’ at senior level…. for more read here.

5th April: David Teague

Carlton Career: 2004 – 2006 (also listed in 2007)
Debut: Round 1, 2004 vs Fremantle
Carlton Player No. 1076
Games: 50 (Carlton) (83 Overall)
Goals: 2
Last game: Round 22, 2006 vs Sydney
Guernsey No. 15
Height : 187cm
Weight : 90 kg
DOB: 5 May, 1981
Best and Fairest: 2004
AFLPA Robert Rose Award Most Courageous Player: 2004

David Teague, who wore the #15 for the Blues, was traded to Carlton by the Kangaroos at the end of the 2003 season. He had begun his AFL career at North Melbourne in 2001, and earned universal admiration for his courage. The Roos gave up Teague and forward Digby Morrell to ensure the return of Corey McKernan to Arden St.

Teague was a key player in Carlton’s defence during our apparent resurgence in 2004. Playing all 22 games in the season, Teague had the ability to keep his man quiet, but also to zone off and be the third man up for the desperate goal saving punch or mark. He averaged 3.6 marks (plus a number of tackles) per game, and his watershed year culminated with his award for Best & Fairest in 2004. His outstanding courage was also recognised by the AFLPA with the Most Courageous Player Award…. for more read here.

6th April: Neil Chandler

Career: 1968 – 1974
Debut : Round 14, 1968 vs Essendon, aged 19 years, 75 days
Carlton Player No. 806
Games : 76
Goals : 22
Last Game : Round 7, 1974 vs Hawthorn, aged 25 years, 11 days
Guernsey Nos. 47 (1968-69) and 22 (1970-74)
Height : 185 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight: 83 kg (13 stone, 1 lb.)
DOB : 6 May, 1949
Premiership Player: 1968, 1970, 1972

Neil Chandler’s contribution to Carlton’s golden era from 1968 to 1982 – when the Blues contested eight Grand Finals and won six flags – deserves wider recognition. A versatile, dependable utility who spent his relatively short career at Princes Park in the shadow of champions, he was a more than handy member of three Premiership teams.

Neil came to Carlton from Welshpool in Gippsland in the summer of 1967. He was a promising ruck-rover with good skills and an outstanding attitude. Like his coach Ron Barassi – with whom Chandler quickly found rapport – he was very much a team-man who was prepared to play wherever he was required, whenever he was required.

He was given his first opportunity at senior level late in 1968. The steadily-improving Blues finished second on the ladder to Essendon that season, then beat the Bombers in the Second Semi-Final to march straight into the Grand Final. When Essendon in turn accounted for Geelong in the Preliminary Final, they set up a rematch with Carlton for the Premiership. On the Thursday before the decider, Chandler was named as one of two reserves, along with ex-Melbourne defender Peter McLean… for more read here.

6th April: Peter McLean

Career: 1966 – 1968
Debut : Round 3, 1966 vs Fitzroy, aged 25 years, 0 days
Carlton Player No. 782
Games : 48
Goals : 5
Last Game : Grand Final, 1968 vs Essendon, aged 27 years, 145 days
Guernsey No. 36
Height : 185 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 82.5 kg (13 stone, 0 lbs.)
DOB : May 6, 1941
Premiership Player 1968

Peter McLean came to Carlton from Melbourne in 1966 and gave sterling service to the Old Dark Navy Blues for the next decade. Fresh from a Premiership with the Demons in 1964, he joined his former captain Ron Barassi at Princes Park, and proved a handy pickup in his 47 games over three seasons. He was 20th man in Carlton’s 1968 Premiership win over Essendon, and later, a club Vice President and Chairman of Selectors.

McLean began his football career with amateur side Old Melburnians, but by 1964 was wearing guernsey number 36 for Melbourne under their legendary coach, Norm Smith. The Demons met Collingwood in the Grand Final that year, and Peter was selected as 19th man.

The game itself was a classic, won in the dying minutes by Melbourne when their back pocket player ‘Froggy’ Crompton followed his rover downfield, swooped on a loose ball, and kicked his first goal of the season to snatch the flag for his team. Meanwhile, sitting on the pine next to Smith – where he had stayed for the entire match – McLean was wracked by contrasting emotions. “Ken Emselle (20th man) got a run,” he said, some years later, “but I just sat there. It’s a very unusual feeling. I’d done enough during the season to feel part of the win, but I didn’t really feel part of it – if you know what I mean.”….for more read here.