The Spirit of Carlton Past and Present would like to congratulate Jeanne Pratt AC for joining the board of the Carlton Football Club and becoming Senior Vice President.

From CarltonFC.com.au

The Carlton Football Club is pleased to announce Jeanne Pratt AC has accepted an invitation to join the board as Senior Vice President.

“We are thrilled Jeanne has accepted this invitation from the Club and know she will provide tremendous expertise in a number of areas, including membership and business development, that will assist the Carlton Football Club going forward,” said Carlton President, Stephen Kernahan.

“Jeanne Pratt has been a long time supporter of the Carlton Football Club, in her own right as well as in conjunction with her late husband Richard. The Pratt name is synonymous with the Carlton Football Club through a 60 year association.

“In 2009, following the passing of Richard, Jeanne was made the Patron of the Carlton Football Club and has continued to provide advice and support in this role. Jeanne’s interests, as well as her obvious business acumen, have been helping build the Club membership and supporter base.

“In her role as Patron of the Club Jeanne has continued to provide advice and ideas on an informal basis and she has previously expressed a desire to be more involved. This appointment to the board, in the role of Senior Vice President, provides a more formal involvement with the Carlton Football Club, ensuring women are included in every aspect of the Club, and it further enhances the long relationship Jeanne and the Pratt family has had with Carlton,” added Kernahan.

“I’ve accepted this draft because it gives minority groups, which in this case are women and the old, a voice in football,” Jeanne said.

This is the beginning of a series where we acknowledge the birthdays of some of Carlton’s past players. Feel free to use the comments section to provide your memories of each player. Many happy returns to everyone featured here.

17th March

Dean Rice

Dean Rice was picked up by the Blues with Pick 19 of the 1994 Pre-Season Draft. Originally from St Kilda, Rice hurt his knee in 1992 and was let go by the Saints, despite playing 116 games, mainly on the wing. Prior to the Saints, he played with the Geelong U/19’s and Reserves, this was the club that his uncle Colin Rice played with in the 1963 Premiership. He played his junior footy with Essex Heights which was Richmond FC’s fourths, in his last year of high school he played with Longwood in the Benalla District League with his brothers who used to travel up there each weekend.

The blonde haired right footer was picked up the Blues despite the injury and set about resurrecting his career in the Navy Blue. And then, versus the Tigers in Round 8, 1994, Rice was picked for his first game. It was a promising start – playing from the forward pocket, Rice was leading hard and fast up ground and providing another option in the forward line. But then, and I can remember how sick I felt, let alone “Ricey”, Rice hurt his knee yet again, and was out for the season. He showed enough in less than a half of football to be persevered with and he returned to full fitness in 1995, playing his first senior game exactly one year later in Round 7. He played all but one of the remaining games that year, including the victorious Grand Final, mainly as a half forward. He kicked 21 goals from 18 games that year.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Dean+Rice

Glenn Hawker

Glenn Hawker, was recruited from Kaniva, he was one of Essendon’s prime movers throughout the Bombers’ string of finals appearances from 1981 to 1986. A hard-running ball magnet with excellent disposal skills, his fine career at Windy Hill brought him two Premiership medals, three Victorian state team appearances, and Essendon’s Best and Fairest award in 1986. In 1988, after 200 games and 172 goals for the Bombers, Hawker was traded to Carlton for our National Draft selection numbers 12 and 26. Essendon used these picks to draft Brad Fox (who subsequently played 12 senior games) and David Regan (who wasn’t selected at senior level). Hawker spent his final three seasons of elite level football at Carlton, playing 27 games and scoring 26 goals at a time when the Blues languished on the lower rungs of the competition ladder. These numbers alone show that Carlton had the better of this particular deal, but there can also be little doubt that Hawker’s professional attitude set a fine example for future stars like Brett Ratten, Fraser Brown, Michael Sexton and Ang Christou – all of whom were recruited to the Blues during Hawker’s time at Princes Park.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Glenn+Hawker

18th March

Ross Ditchburn

Ross “Farmer” Ditchburn was a tall, long-kicking forward from country Western Australia who topped Carlton’s goal-kicking list in 1982, played in a Grand Final, was knocked unconscious – and still picked up a Premiership medal. He spent just two seasons with the Blues, yet left his mark in 28 games that produced 91 goals.

In 1981, Ditchburn was the 24 year-old captain-coach of his hometown football club at Kukerin, in WA’s wheat belt south of Perth. His family were pillars of the local community and ran a large property outside the town. He had played WAFL football at Claremont, but by then Ross was a star of the strong local league; a powerful key forward with vice-like hands and a right foot that could, the locals said; “boot a bag of spuds over a wheat silo”.

One day, the Ditchburns had visitors – all the way from the other side of the country. Carlton coach David Parkin and Recruiting Manager Shane O’Sullivan had come to Kukerin with an offer that the big bloke found tough to resist, and that his parents encouraged him to accept. After tea and scones in the Ditchburn’s kitchen, Parkin and O’Sullivan left with the promise that Ross would be at Princes Park the following year…

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Ross+Ditchburn

21st March

Steve Da Rui

Steven Da Rui came to Carlton from East Perth in 1987 with good mate Richard Dennis. But it wasn’t until 1988 from where he had established a reputation as a reliable, hard, and honest performer. Originally a ruck-rover, he settled on a half-back flank for the Blues and proved a handy acquisition in his 55 games over four seasons. He was a great exponent of the legal ‘hip and shoulder’ – as evidenced when he once knocked out Melbourne’s Greg Healy with a perfectly-delivered shirtfront in a match at Princes Park. In the same season he also cleaned up opposition captains in Hawthorn’s Michael Tuck and Essendon’s Terry Daniher – a nice little trifecta.

A solid unit at 183 cm and 85 kg, Da Rui was no racehorse, but he ran all day. He was also a strong mark, and a fierce tackler who revelled in the physical challenges. He played off the bench throughout Carlton’s 1988 finals campaign, and represented WA against Victoria in 1990.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Steve+Da+Rui

It was almost like old times at Princes Park on Saturday afternoon. All that was needed was the results of the other five games on the old scoeboard, the raffle results and of course the quaddie. Perhaps the club could organise for someone to walk along the boundary selling peanuts in paper bags to really bring back the memories.

Below are some of the reactions from the practise match.

Jeff Garlett interviewed post match for CFCTV.

[youtube width=”640″ height=”390″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbHC4ccTk84[/embedyt]

AFLPhotos from the match

From The Age: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/cats-save-best-form-until-the-very-last-20110312-1bsad.html

Carlton wasted chances in the early part of both the first and last terms; similar to its effort against Collingwood in the opening NAB Cup match.

”I think it was a reality check that the game goes for the full 120 minutes and work-rate is really important,” Carlton coach Brett Ratten said. ”It probably just leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth [after] an outstanding pre-season.

”We knew we’d feel a bit heavy in the legs but I just thought across the board, we shouldn’t have lost that game and we did.”

ACP Photography pics from the match.

Yonniboys pics as usual are great.

 

Link to CFCTV highlights of the game.

Australia’s third oldest city, Launceston is of course the home to Boag’s Brewery. You might not know that it was also the first Australian city to be serviced by undergound sewerage and the first to be lit by hydroelectricity. It has also been home to men who crossed the Tasman to play footy for the mighty Blues. We highlight a few here …

Stan McKenzie

A tall, versatile player from Launceston, Tasmania, Stan McKenzie spent just one season with Carlton Football Club in our Premiership year of 1914. He played 14 consecutive matches for the Blues, before losing his place in the team on the eve of that years’ Grand Final. Twelve months later, he died of illness while on active service with the AIF in Egypt.

He was outstanding in the centre, or as a follower in the Launceston Blues’ 1909 and 1913 NTFA Premiership teams, and also represented Tasmania in the 1911 Carnival in Adelaide. In the summer of 1912-13, he completed a unique double when he scored an impressive 59 runs for the Tasmanian cricket team in a match against the touring English Test squad in Launceston.

Stan’s credentials attracted many of the VFL teams to his door, but it was his former Launceston team-mate, George Challis, who eventually convinced him to join the Old Dark Navy Blues in 1914. McDonald was given the number 27 guernsey for his debut match against Geelong at Corio Oval in June. Named in a forward pocket, Stan joined a daunting attack that included Vin Gardiner at full-forward, George Topping in the other pocket and Challis at half-forward. Geelong weren’t ready to be intimidated however, and downed the Blues by 31 points in a high standard match.

Back in Melbourne, as the call to arms in defence of the Empire echoed across the country, Carlton recovered from some early setbacks to finish minor premiers over South Melbourne, Fitzroy and Geelong. Then the Blues leapt to favouritism for the Premiership with an emphatic 20 point victory over Fitzroy in one Semi Final. All that was then required was for the Blues to beat South Melbourne in the Final.

Alas, that didn’t happen. Showers swept across the MCG all match, and the Bloods adapted better to the conditions to beat Carlton by 19 points in a scrappy affair. Had South Melbourne finished as minor premiers, the 1914 Premiership would have been headed to the Lake Oval. But The Blues exercised their right under the VFL rules of the day, and challenged South Melbourne to a Grand Final rematch.

Stan McKenzie had been hardly sighted in the Preliminary Final, although he did manage one of Carlton’s three goals from a half-forward flank. On the Thursday night prior to the Grand Final, Stan and winger Frank Triplett paid the price of that defeat, and were left out of the team. Alf Baud and George Calwell were named in their place, and Carlton turned the tables in a thriller to win our fourth flag by six points.

Soon after that bitter-sweet game, Stan enlisted in the First AIF as a medical orderly. He spent some months tending to Australian casualties on the Gallipoli Peninsula, (where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant) and late in 1915 was posted to the 2/2nd Clearing Hospital at Alexandria, Egypt.

While serving there, he suffered a severe attack of appendicitis and, although the best possible medical facilities were on hand, Stan died on December 8, 1915.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Stan+McKenzie

Pat Farrelly

A tall, well-credentialled ruckman-forward from Launceston, Tasmania, Pat Farrelly played seven games and booted seven goals in his one season at Carlton in 1937. The following year he was ‘swapped’ to South Melbourne for Brighton Diggins, who stood out of football for twelve months before becoming Carlton’s captain-coach, and leading the Blues to the 1938 Premiership.

Somewhat ironically, Farrelly made his senior debut for Carlton against South Melbourne at the Lakeside Oval in round 12, 1937. Playing in the ruck and resting at full-forward, he booted two of the Blues’ seven goals for the match. His best return of four majors came a fortnight later, in Carlton’s round 14 victory over Melbourne at Princes Park.

Farrelly was cleared to South Melbourne in 1938. The Swans used him almost exclusively as a tap ruckman, so he added just one more goal to his career tally. In 1939 he moved on to VFA club Camberwell for greater reward, and played there until he enlisted in the Australian Army in 1941. Throughout World War II, Farrelly served on home soil as a signaller.

He returned home safely, and later found work on the Melbourne waterfront through his former Carlton team-mate and close friend, Jim Francis. A long and peaceful life ensued, until August 6, 2007, when Patrick Stanley Farrelly passed away at the age of 94.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Pat+Farrelly

Robert Dutton

After three years with Launceston in Tasmania, where he had played in a Premiership side and won a club Best and Fairest, ‘Major’ Dutton came to Carlton in 1979. His 192 cm frame ran out in the Carlton number 17 guernsey for his only game in season 1981.

His second and final League appearance was with Hawthorn – against Carlton in Round 14, 1982. The Hawks won by 34 points that day, but Carlton had sweet revenge by knocking them out of that year’s Preliminary Final before beating Richmond for yet another flag. Dutton parted ways with the Hawks at the end of the season and played for Clarence (Tasmania) in 1983.

From: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Robert+Dutton

There is only one month to go until the SOC holds a special function in Perth to coincide with the Blues playing Collingwood. It is not too late to book your seat. The details of the event are as follows:

In exciting news for WA blues supporters the Spirit of Carlton will be holding a matchday function in Perth on the day of the big Carlton vs Collingwood clash on the 8th of April. Perth Blues supporters are some of the most passionate and dedicated in the land and this event is sure to be very popular. So get in quick and secure your seat to enjoy another quality Spirit of Carlton event.

Your Host: Jon Dorotich

1987 Premiership Player for Carlton

1986-1993, 132 games, 103 goals

Jon Dorotich was a big, rugged, key defender from South Fremantle who enjoyed a notable football career on both sides of the continent for 17 seasons between 1981 and 1997. Blessed with vice-like hands and a raking left foot, he played in successive Grand Finals for Carlton against Hawthorn in 1986 and 1987; suffering a loss in the first, then taking sweet revenge in the second. After finishing at Carlton, he returned to WA and claimed more glory; as both a 100-goal full-forward, and captain of South Fremantle’s 1997 Premiership team.

Guests: Wayne Harmes

Premiership Player: 1979, 1981, 1982
Norm Smith Medal: 1979
Victorian Representative : 1979, 1986
Carlton Hall of Fame (2000)

Like his predecessors Fred Stafford and Ted Hopkins, Wayne Harmes will forever be remembered for one inspirational passage of play in Carlton’s 1979 Grand Final victory over Collingwood. On that wet, cold day before 112,000 fans at the MCG, Carlton started warm favourites. But in a tough, slogging match, the Magpies simply refused to be shaken off. With only minutes remaining, the Blues were in front by just four points, with the black & whites finishing hard and looking a big chance to snatch victory. Enter Wayne Harmes. After playing superbly all day, he gathered the ball at half-forward, only to see his kick slew off his boot and skid toward the boundary in Carlton’s forward pocket. Instantly, he turned and chased, dived, and with a desperate round-arm swipe at the ball, knocked it into the goal square. Waiting there, clear of any opponent, was rover Ken Sheldon – who gleefully goaled to win another flag for the Navy Blues.

Alex Marcou

Premiership Player: 1979, 1981, 1982
Carlton Hall of Fame (2006)

Alex Marcou was a member of Carlton’s fabled mosquito fleet of brilliant small men of the 1970’s and ‘80’s, and a three-time Premiership rover for the Blues. Recruited within the Blues recruiting zone, from northern suburban VAFA club Thomastown, he was among four first-gamers for Carlton in the opening round of the 1979 season. The others were Wayne Johnston, Robbert Klomp and Peter Francis; all of whom were destined for Premiership glory. Marcou was a lightning-quick rover with sure ball-handling skills and excellent goal sense. Aged 20 on debut, by mid-season in ‘79 he was a regular in a powerful Blues combination that topped the ladder, then went on to beat Collingwood by 5 points in a see-sawing Grand Final on a boggy MCG. It was the perfect culmination to a great first year for the 178 cm, 76 kg speedster wearing number 34, and he was widely regarded as Recruit of the Year.

Des English

Career : 1980 – 1987
Games : 104
Goals : 6
Premiership Player : 1981 & 1982

Another in a long line of courageous, reliable and tough back-pockets for the Blues, Des English was a valuable contributor in three Carlton Grand Final teams, including the 1981 and ’82 Premiership sides. One of the most respected players of his era, he was, sadly, forced into premature retirement when he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

English came to Carlton from Bendigo League club Eaglehawk in 1980, following in the footsteps of champion rover Rod Ashman. Like “Ashy”, Des had also won the Two Blues’ Best & Fairest award, and was a regular Bendigo League representative, usually at half-back. At Carlton he found a niche in the back pocket, and began consolidating his place in one of the league’s power teams.

Date : 8th of April 2011.

Time : 12.30pm – 3.30pm

Venue: South Perth Bowling Club – Mends St, Sth Perth

Cost: $100.00 per person, Includes meal, beer, wine and soft drink.

Hosted by Jon Dorotich, join Alex Marcou, Des English, & Wayne Harmes for this very special event and don’t miss your chance to rub shoulders with some of the greats of the game.

There will also be plenty of fantastic auction items available on the day.

Please CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ORDER FORM to get your seat!

 Lifelong Blues supporter Mick Johnston celebrated his 90th birthday recently. The Spirit of Carlton would like to extend our best wishes to Mick and many happy returns. Mick is a veteran of World War II, in particular he was one of the famous ‘Rats of Tobruk’ who fought so bravely in holding off Rommel, the Desert Fox in the sands of Libya.

While Mick celebrated with family and friends in an RSL hall he was presented with a Carlton Football Club birthday card which had been signed by past and present players of the club. From all reports Mick was thrilled with his present. The Spirit of Carlton is delighted to have played a small part in celebrating Micks special day. We would like to thank Lisa Domican who contacted the Spirit of Carlton with an idea for her grandfather’s 90th birthday. Lisa is the creator of the Grace App, which is an iPhone application designed to help Autistic children communicate more freely.

http://graceappforautismoniphone.blogspot.com/

It was like old times at Visy Park on friday when a big crowd of eager Blues supporters braved the cold and drizzle to watch the latest installment of pre-season 2011. The Blue boys put on a good display by overcoming Adelaide, in particular Chris Yarran dazzled opponents all afternoon with some scintillating dashes off half back. As usual I have wandered far and wide around the internet jungle to bring you some of the colour and comment from our latest game.

There were lots of people taking photos on the day and we have quite a few albums which have been uploaded.

Nice slideshow of over 100 photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oaks101/sets/72157626193275782/show/

Official CFC photos of the day: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=292494&id=108959538333

Some pics from ACP Photography: http://www.flickr.com/photos/acphotography18/archives/date-posted/2011/03/04/

Gerald Bartels take of the day: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=377463&id=527572574

CFCTV interviewed ‘Dangles’ Armfield after the game.

Herald Sun Article: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/double-blow-for-crows/story-e6frf9jf-1226016034677

CFC Article written by Jason Phelan: http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/108790/default.aspx

 Over at TalkingCarlton, the poster aboynamedsue had this to say:

The 3 players who brought a smile to my face yesterday were Yarran, Hammer & Duigan. Yarran looks a million bucks at the moment. His run out of defence and ball use was first class. Hammer carried the can in the ruck in the 2nd half after Warnock went off early in the 3rd term. I think Warnock might have suffered a minor injury and was kept off the ground for the rest of the 2nd half as a precaution (by the way, I thought Warnock was fairly dominant in the ruck in the 1st half – made one or two clangers with the ball, but he controlled the ruck contests well). We’ve been saying for a few years now that Hammer will be handful if/when the marks start sticking…well, he clunked a few beauties yesterday and his workrate was excellent. And Duigan….looked very determined to have an impact yesterday (obviously fighting for a spot in the Rd 1 team + I suspect he wanted to prove a point to the Crows…) and I think those that compare him to Andrew McKay are pretty close to the mark. Time will tell if he gets to the AA level that Macca did, be he certainly seems a similar type player to Macca. Pencil him in for Round 1 now.

At Carlton Supporters Club, the poster Baggers2011 observed:

Although we have to temper pre season games with the reality of just what it is – a pre-season game, I really saw positives in our effort against Adelaide.

Adelaide came to play and they were crisp, purposeful, smart and direct…early, and also early in the 3rd. During this time they were all over us. We looked like a gangly teenager trying to come to grips with his growing body. But mostly, we worked hard and maximized our opportunities.

When we consider that we were minus around 6 players in our best 22, I was cautiously optimistic in regards our application and response to being down. This time last year, Adelaide got over us and at times on Friday it looked like they would again. I thought the difference this year compared to last was a few defenders who made good decisions under pressure and delivered the pill with precision – an imperative in a top team.

Specifically – Laidler (what a deadly left foot), Diugan (continues to impress, though looked a little lost at times) and White – his attack on the aggot and opponent is great. Jamison seems to be learning (I bet one ex ColliWobbler, G. Brown is having an impact there!!) though he must stop giving away free kicks – this will be the make or break year for Jammo. And then there was Yarran…he’ll cop a negating forward for sure, but dream on opponents, this guy will grow and find a way to cut a swathe through many a defensive press. 

Wonderful news today as the new display case in the Visy Park foyer is now complete. The final touches were made this morning in time for the practice match against the Crows. Many hundreds of people got to see the display cabinet today and based on seeing their reactions the display seemed to be very well appreciated. If you saw the cabinet today please leave a message in our comments section to tell us what you think.

For those Blues supporters not able to make it into Visy Park we have produced a video to show you what the display cabinet contains. The contents of the cabinet will change from time to time, at the moment the display is of memorabilia from the 1981 and 1982 premierships.

A new video has been released showing the development of the new Jamie Cooper painting of the combined 1981 and 1982 premiership teams entitled ‘Twenty Together Always Win’. To see the painting close up please play the video below. To purchase your copy of the limited edition copy of this painting click here. To purchase a ticket to the upcoming Carlton Hall of Fame dinner on March 26th please click here.

You may have noticed this article in yesterdays Herald Sun.

The video it mentions will be appearing in the new display case in the Visy Park foyer this week. From over two hours of footage an eleven minute video will feature in the display, six minutes of which are scenes from this newly discovered 1981 premiership celebration video.

The Herald Sun was given access to a small snippet to whet our appetite. Enjoy the video below.

The Carlton Football Club and Spirit of Carlton display cabinet was being constructed this morning at Visy Park. Below are a few pictures of the activity in the foyer this morning. If you would like to see the full album click this link, http://spiritofcarlton.com/blog/photos/display-case-february-24-2011/

 

There has been great progress on the upcoming CFC/SOC display cabinet. If you are around the club tomorrow keep an eye out for some activity opposite the giant picture of Jezza. Within the next few days the entire display should be complete.

This is a wonderful project of mutual cooperation between the Carlton Football Club and the Spirit of Carlton.

We cannot give too much away at this stage about the contents of the first display. However, one of the exciting additions is never before seen, behind the scenes video footage of premiership celebrations. You will get to see what it is like in the rooms after a Carlton premiership.

This project is another example of where your money goes when you become a member of the Spirit of Carlton.

CLICK HERE to get your membership today.

You may not be aware that the Spirit of Carlton has a youtube channel where our videos are showcased. We expect to include more videos for 2011 as well, so we encourage everyone to subscribe to our channel, that way when new videos are added you will be the first to know. The easiest way to subscribe is to click on the red Youtube button on the top right hand corner of the website.

Today we highlight an interview from our archive of Garry Crane, who played in 3 premierships during his 148 game career at the Blues.

For the best deals on Samsung TV’s, Contact Brian from BMP Audio Visual.

Please contact Brian Galea at:

Ph:  0419571135

Email: accounts@bmpsec.com.au

When filling out your Carlton Football Club membership form keep an eye out for the Spirit of Carlton optional extra box on the form, we have highlighted it in the following picture so you can see where it is:

This is the easiest way to become a member of the Spirit of Carlton, just one tick and all your details from your CFC membership will be used for your Spirit of Carlton membership.

Your money goes towards three main areas when you pay for a Spirit of Carlton Membership,

– Facilities for the current playing group.

– Assistance for past players and officials in the form of ongoing welfare and support activities (medical support, hardship support, general support).

– Preservation and promotion of the history of the club.

Already, nearly $300,000 has been provided to pay for specific items and activities including ice baths, training equipment, support for the Father and Son Development Academy and the upcoming display case in the CFC foyer.

As our membership grows we are able to provide more to the club, for the present and for the past so that the future will be stronger.

So Download a Carlton Football Club Membership form today and tick the Spirit of Carlton as well!

Today the players head off to Benalla for a two day AFL community camp. No doubt current Carlton player Jarrad Waite will enjoy visiting his old home town. He is not the only product of Benalla to play for the Blues.

Jim Flynn

Captain twice in Carlton’s glorious Premiership treble of 1906, ’07 and ’08, James Edward ‘Jim’ Flynn was a skilful, versatile player for the Blues, and a dynamic on-field leader whose fine career stretched into his late thirties.

Born in Benalla in northern Victoria, Flynn began his VFL senior career aged 25 at Geelong in 1897 he also played for Benalla District, Collingwood in the VFA and Canterbury. In seven seasons with the Pivotonians, he racked up 72 games and 22 goals without experiencing finals football. Meanwhile, Carlton’s similar lack of success led to the master-stroke appointment of former Test cricketer Jack Worrall as club secretary. In fact, Worrall was to quickly become the game’s first coach – responsible for every facet of the team’s performance.

Worrall’s single-minded determination to lift the Blues from the doldrums had him scouring the country for football talent, and Jim Flynn was one of his prizes. Promised a real shot at football glory by Worrall, Flynn agreed to swap clubs and arrived at Princes Park in 1903.

Although not particularly tall at 179 cm, Flynn was an intelligent and versatile ruckman who was always looking for ways to counter larger opponents. A natural athlete with a good spring and sure hands, he often sharked the taps of his opponents by feigning to jump for the ball, but intercepting it himself.

In Flynn’s first season, Carlton climbed from sixth on the ladder to third, and Jim’s impact was such that he was appointed vice-captain for the following year – to fellow ex-Geelong ruckman Joe McShane. Then, when McShane stepped down at the end of 1904, Jim Flynn was his popular successor. Flynn’s debut was incidentally Carlton’s 100th game in the new VFL league.

From: www.blueseum.org

Max Howell

Max Howell came down to Carlton from Benalla in 1948, setting himself the big task of breaking into the Blues’ reigning VFL Premiership team. A 26 year-old centreman with good pace and a raking kick, he eventually got the chance he craved in round seven, when incumbent wingman Fred Fitzgibbon was ruled out by injury. Howell was selected as Fitzgibbon’s replacement, and lined up against Melbourne at the MCG.

Howell’s second season never really got going. While Carlton set about redeeming themselves, he ran around with the Reserves again until round 12, 1949, when he made the first of his three senior appearances – all of them as 20th man in games prior to the finals. In September, Carlton fought their way through to another Grand Final, only to destroyed by a rampant Essendon.

Howell fronted up for his third year with the Blues in 1950, and seemed to get off to a promising start when coach Percy Bentley gave him an opportunity as first rover in round one – another test against Melbourne at the MCG. Max celebrated his first (and only) career goal that day, but the Demons proved too good again, and won by 20 points.

Victory eventually came Carlton’s way the following Saturday afternoon at Princes Park, when Ray Garby and Ken Baxter both kicked five goals in a high-scoring mid-table clash against North Melbourne. Howell played at half-forward in a 16-point win, but didn’t trouble the scorers.

Perhaps happy to go out on a winning note, Max retired from elite level football after that game, and headed back to the bush.

From: www.blueseum.org

Saturday night saw the Blues take on the Magpies and the Tigers in an experimental first week of the NAB cup. While the one win and one loss most likely means that the Blues will be following the country town ciruit for the rest of the preseason the young team performed well and many of the youngest players showed great promise for the future. This is the best of what the net had to offer for the coverage of these games.

The Herald Sun reviewed game one,

Senior players Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Heath Scotland and Andrew Walker lifted after half-time and the form of younger players was encouraging. Little known second year player Rohan Kerr booted two goals and provided a strong option inside 50. Also showing potential for Carlton was Kane Lucas in the midfield and Levi Casboult who moved well in the ruck alongside Robbie Warnock, but clearly needs to work on his kicking. Jeremy Laidler and Nick Duigan will be handy finds for the defence.It wasn’t a high standard game but just a small appetiser ahead of Round 1.

… and also the game against Collingwood.

The Blues got off to an ideal start through Andrew Walker who also kicked a classy goal to start the second half.
Chris Yarran on Andrew Krakouer was a match up highlight, with Krakouer’s genius right foot snap goal earning him the points. Kirk Ugle was also putting forward his case to oust Leon Davis with a nice snap of his own from the boundary. Carlton rested some senior players for game three and brought in one, Michael Jamison, who played forward and didn’t seem to mind the change from defence.  Midfielder Jaryd Cachia, who tackled hard in the first game, put in another eye-catching effort. The only hiccup was an ankle injury to Setanta O’hAilpin who was substituted.

See an interview with Rohan Kerr (and his prawn tattoo) here:

Carlton Football Club provided some great behind the scenes photos of the changing rooms via their facebook page,

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=286336&id=108959538333

Over at BigFooty  OldBlueFan had this to say –

Laidler was the most impressive IMHO, the poise that he showed and his disposal were really impressive. If he can keep that up when the real stuff starts, I can see him being best 22 easily. Lucas seems to have improved on what was a really good start last year. I think it was him that weighted that hand pass beautifully in the Richmond game for a certain goal to Kerr. To do that in traffic when the heat was coming from everywhere showed impressive instinctive smarts.

Watson impressed me with his kicking (naturally) but also his strength when the ball was on the ground. This guy has great strength in his legs and hips already, so when his upper body grows to match, look out! Curnow looked to be at home in and under, but we were on the wing in the second tier stand so it was hard to see properly. He didn’t seem to be on the ground much, did he get injured?

Kerr’s performance in the Richmond game was excellent too. Kicked the goals he should have, missed everything once from a difficult angle, but what footy player hasn’t done that? I agree with Zee, will definitely be one to watch as time goes on.

The Spirit of Carlton would like to wish Wayne Harmes a big happy birthday and many happy returns today. Wayne is a great supporter of the SOC and always willing to get involved in SOC functions. He is much loved by Carlton supporters around the country.

Wayne Harmes will be one of the guests at the upcoming SOC function in Perth on the 8th of April. CLICK HERE for more details and to secure your seat to what will be a super event.

For your entertainment here are some of Harmesy’s greatest moments.

Please use the comments section to tell us your favourite memories of Wayne Harmes!

Just a reminder to Spirit of Carlton readers and members that the Carlton Football Club family day is now only one week away.

On Sunday, February 13, all the Carlton players will be at Visy Park for the Hyundai Blues Family Day. The Family Day will commence at 11.00am and conclude at 2.00pm with activities for all the family including interactive activities with the Carlton players and involvement with many of Carlton’s key sponsorship partners.

Entry to the Hyundai Blues Family Day is free for 2011 members with membership on sale outside the ground. The Carlton Shop will be open from 10.00am.

Non-members are also welcome; entry is Adults – $10, Children Under 16 – $5 and Children Under 6 – Free. A family ticket, 2 Adults and 2 Children will also be available – $25.00

Carlton Family Day

We encourage those who have not already done so to get your memberships for the 2011 season. Don’t forget to tick the Spirit of Carlton option on your Carlton membership form.