John Benetti, the 88-game former Carlton footballer and a first cousin of former teammate and dual Premiership ruck-rover Sergio Silvagni, has died after a long illness at the age of 76.Schooled at CBC Parade East Melbourne through the 1950s, Benetti and Silvagni, together with the likes of future League players Brian Beers, Kevin Bergin, Paddy Guinane and Bill Serong, contributed to a glory era in the College’s famous football history.
Benetti briefly appeared for the local Carlton Stars and represented Carlton in a single reserve grade match in 1955 – only to be recalled to the Parade team under the school rules of the day. He did not represent the Blues for the remainder of the ’55 season, but completed his apprenticeship in their reserve grade teams through 1956 and ’57.
Benetti earned a number of honourable mentions for his performances in the curtain-raisers, but his progress was interrupted by a foot ailment, which precipitated the removal of a right foot toe nail and the top of one toe of the left foot, which cost him many games in his second season.
He finally broke through in the third round of 1958, completing his senior debut against Geelong at Princes Park in the No.8 dark Navy Blue guernsey now worn by Matthew Kreuzer.
Benetti was named on a half back flank in that match, alongside Peter Webster at centre half-back and the late Denis Zeunert.
Webster, one of the few members of that particular team still living, remembered Benetti as a physically aggressive type.
“He was a very solid player. You’d probably say he was a good honest player and he was certainly hard at it,” Webster recalled.
John Benetti and first cousin Sergio Silvagni at an Old Paradians function in 2011. (Photo: Anthony De Bolfo)
Dubbed “Tank” by supporters for his tree-trunk thighs and fearless, straight-ahead style of play, Benetti earnt early praise. The journalist Damon Mills, in an article for Sports Novels in 1958 (which carried the headline “Benetti is Carlton’s atom bomb of the half-back flank”) wrote: “He (Benetti) thrilled with his relentless pursuit of the ball, a brilliant flying mark and a speedy clearing dash”.
According to football folklore, Benetti also earned the nickname “Troubles” over the journey, for making a habit of complaining to the club’s Chairman of Selectors Jack Wrout whenever he was omitted from the seniors.
But he will be remembered for gamely contributing to his team’s last line of defence in the losing Grand Final of 1962, and for being named amongst his team’s better contributors through that finals series.
And he also represented Victoria against South Australia the following year.
Benetti’s final game for Carlton came against the arch foe Collingwood in Round 16, 1965, on the occasion of Berkeley Cox’s 100th senior appearance.
On completion of his senior League career, Benetti joined VFA outfit Oakleigh as Senior Coach, and, later, VAFA A-Grade team Ivanhoe in 1972 and ’73.
A little known fact is that Benetti also helped build the since-demolished Olympic Tyres Scoreboard at the Garton Street end of Princes Park.
A massive stroke suffered years ago cruelly robbed Benetti of his speech and severely incapacitated him, but never dimmed his love for the game. He would often be seen as an interested spectator at Carlton matches, and in late 2010 gathered with his old schoolmates when Parade College’s greatest team of VFL/AFL footballers was named.
John Benetti is survived by his wife Irene, daughters Janine and Sue, and son Glen. Another son, Peter, died in early September.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
John Benetti during his playing days with the Blues. (Photo: Carlton Football Club)