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Happy 50th birthday to Spiro Kourkoumelis today.

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From the Blueseum:

Career : 1981 – 1986
Debut : Round 17, 1981 vs Melbourne, aged 17 years, 359 days
Carlton Player No. 897
Games : 62
Goals : 56
Last Game : Round 6, 1986 vs Sydney, aged 22 years, 277 days
Guernsey Nos. 49 (1981) and 28 (1982-86)
Height : 180 cm (5 ft. 11 in.)
Weight : 89 kg (14 stone, 0 lbs.)
DOB : 31 July, 1963

Had he played in any other era in Carlton’s history, the man with one of the longest names in the game; Spiro Kourkoumelis, would surely have played more than 100 senior matches for the Blues. Spiro was unlucky in that he emerged at Princes Park during Carlton’s golden decade of 1979 to 1987, when a star-studded playing list took the Old Dark Navy Blues to five Grand Final appearances and four Premierships. However, that success also restricted the opportunities for a group of very capable players like Kourkourmelis, who didn’t always get the opportunities his talent deserved.

After being recruited from local club Princes Hill in 1979, Kourkoumelis was part of Carlton’s Under 19 flag side later that same year. Still just 16 years old, he represented Victoria in the elite Teal Cup interstate competition in 1980, and by 1981 was knocking on the door of senior selection at Carlton after a series of eye-catching matches with the Reserves. Meanwhile, his younger brother Peter had joined him at Princes Park, and was in the midst of his handful of games with the Under 19’s. The problem for Spiro however, was that he was competing for a midfield-forward role in the Blues’ senior team against the likes of Barry Armstrong, Jim Buckley, David Glascott, Wayne Harmes, Ken Sheldon, Wayne Johnston, Greg Wells – and at least three or four others.

Kourkoumelis wasn’t a gazelle on the field, but his ball-gathering ability and disposal were first-rate. He was an ideal link-up player through the middle of the ground, and always a threat around the goals. Eventually, an injury to Wells provided the opportunity Spiro had been craving, and he was named to make his senior debut in the centre for Carlton against Melbourne at Princes Park in round 17, 1981 – six days before his 18th birthday. Wearing guernsey number 49, he got away to a dream start, too, by kicking a goal with his first kick, after receiving a gift handball from ‘Bomba’ Sheldon in front of the Heatley Stand. Carlton went on to destroy Melbourne by 73 points that day, on the way to the 1981 Premiership. However for Kourkoumelis, it was to be his one and only senior match for the season.

In 1982, Spiro swapped to the number 28 guernsey previously carried by ‘Percy’ Jones, but that didn’t make his task of breaking into the seniors any easier. While the brilliant Blues swept to back to back flags that September, Kourkoumelis managed six sporadic games between rounds two and fifteen, before finishing off another impressive year at the lower level by being voted the Reserves’ Best and Fairest.

The blood, sweat and dedication involved in winning those consecutive flags had ramifications in 1983, as retirements and injuries started to create opportunities at last for Carlton’s up-and-comers, and Kourkoumelis was one beneficiary. He grabbed his chance with both hands, and by mid-year was a mainstay of the side, either in the centre or ruck-roving. The Navy Blues wound up fifth on the ladder, and Spiro experienced the intensity of finals football for the first time when his injury-depleted side lost the ‘83 Elimination Final to Essendon by a disappointing 33 points. Still, that milestone capped off a year in which he arrived as a league footballer by playing 18 games, picking up seven Brownlow Medal votes, and finishing fifth in the voting for Carlton’s Best and Fairest.

As 1984 unfolded, Kourkoumelis continued playing solid, effective football. He had strung together another 18 games and 18 goals by the time the home and away season concluded with the Blues ensconced in third place, and poised for a tilt at yet another flag. But to his dismay, Spiro was left out of Carlton’s line-up when the lead-up finals in were again held at VFL Park, Waverley. The wide open spaces called for pace, pace and more pace, so the Blues included four rovers in the teams that played Hawthorn in the Qualifying Final, and Collingwood in the Semi Final. The plan misfired however, and both games were lost – by 30 and 25 points respectively.

In the off-season, Melbourne and Collingwood each made substantial offers to Kourkoumelis, but he eventually knocked them both back and had another workman-like year in the midfield. He played in his second final when Carlton lost the 1985 Elimination Final to North Melbourne, then farewelled his coach of the previous five years when David Parkin retired at the end of the season.

Carlton’s incoming coach, Robert Walls, stamped his authority on the club and its playing list with an intense pre-season in 1986, while telling his players that those who didn’t meet his expectations probably wouldn’t see out the year. Indeed, such words proved prophetic for Kourkoumelis. After playing five of the first six senior matches, he was sent back to the Reserves, and stayed there right through until Carlton claimed yet another lower grade Premiership with a 74-point drubbing of Footscray in the curtain-raiser on Grand Final day. While close to 100,000 fans watched on, Spiro was one of Carlton’s best – kicking four goals and ranging far and wide to set up many of the Blues’ attacks in a memorable farewell game.

Before that year ended, rumours were rife that 22 year-old Kourkoumelis would be cleared to Collingwood. But Carlton refused to bolster their fiercest rival in any way, so Spiro found himself bound for the next chapter of his football life at St Kilda, where he went on to play another 35 senior matches between 1987 and 1990.

In 1991, Kourkoumelis retired from AFL football and headed to VFA club Coburg, where he joined his former Carlton team-mate Mark Williams.

Kourkoumelis wore No.53 for Carlton’s reserves in 1980.

The SOC will be hosting a match day function which is being organised by the AFLPA and AFLCPPA for the round 22 clash against Essendon on the 24th August.

Capacity for the room is 150 and demand will be high so it is imperative that if you want to attend you book early. This function is open to past player from all AFL clubs so tickets will go very quickly.

You need to book through the AFLPA. This can be done by downloading the order form by clicking on the image to the right.

Each past player is allowed two guests.

Details are:

DATE : Saturday 24 August 2013
GUEST ARRIVAL : Dining room is open from 6.30pm
GAME START : 7.40pm
VENUE : Tom Wills Room, MCG. Enter via Gate 7,
Great Southern Stand and take lifts 18 or 19 to Level 2
Your ticket to the Combined Past Players Function includes:
• Gate entry and Platinum Reserved Seating on Level 2, Great Southern Stand
• Access to the new Tom Wills Room, overlooking the ground
• A selection of gourmet canapés, tea, coffee and warm baby scones, served pre-game
• Cash bar facilities
FUNCTION COST : $25 per person (incl. GST)

There is another match day event organised for the Richmond vs Brisbane game as well. If you wish to attend this download the order form by CLICKING THIS LINK.

Happy birthday to Blues player from 1983, Andrew Graham today.

Sadly, we do not have any contact details for Andrew. If anyone knows his whereabout please let us know.

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Career: 1983
Debut and only Game: Round 15, 1983 vs Melbourne, aged 19 years, 349 days
912th Carlton Player
Goals: Nil
Guernsey No. 46 (1983 – 1984).
Height: 180cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 18 July, 1963

Wearing guernsey #46 and listed at 180cm in height, Graham played a single game for Carlton in Season 1983 which was a loss to Melbourne at Princes Park. In this game, Graham shared his debut with Ricky Nixon. He was recruited from Coburg.

Deep condolences to the McIntyre family today after learning of the sudden death of Don McIntyre this morning at the age of 98.

Don played 100 games for the Blues and won the 1937 best and fairest, he was the last surviving member of the 1938 premiership team.

The end of an era for our club.

Happy 60th birthday to Ray Byrne today.

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From the Blueseum:

Career : 1973 – 1978
Debut : Round 2, 1973 vs North Melbourne, aged 19 years, 272 days
Carlton Player No. 837
Games : 81
Goals : 13
Guernsey No. 26
Last Game: Round 6, 1978 vs Hawthorn, aged 24 years, 294 days
Height : 181 cm (5 ft. 11 in.)
Weight : 79.5 kg (12 stone, 7 lbs.)
DOB : 16 July, 1953

Ray Byrne will be remembered as one of the most unfortunate players in the history of VFL/AFL football. A capable and courageous defender, he turned out for two clubs in four Grand Finals – only to be on the losing side in each one of them.

In 1972, Byrne was recruited by the Blues at the age of 19 from Golden Square, in Carlton’s rich Bendigo League zone. He was given guernsey number 26 and soon proved to be a popular clubman and a creative half-back. At 181 cm and 80 kg, he was equally at home on the last line of defence, where he played in Carlton’s 1973 Grand Final loss to Richmond. The Blues went down by five goals that day, but Byrne’s opponent; Noel Carter, was hardly sighted.

Although his endeavour rarely faltered, by 1978 Byrne’s opportunities were drying up – due mainly to the emergence of future stars like Peter McConville, Rod Austin and Wayne Harmes. That same year there was an upheaval at the club with coach Ian Stewart resigning because of poor health, and then Serge Silvagni and later Alex Jesaulenko taking turns as senior coach. It was around that time that the Blues offloaded Byrne’s good mate Robert Walls, to Fitzroy – so Byrne decided that he too wanted out.

As he put it, “I didn’t like the scene at the time, and up until the Wednesday before clearances closed they weren’t going to let me go. And then at the last minute, the Blues got a deal they wanted. They gave permission for me to go to Collingwood on the proviso that they got a form four”. (A form four was required for every player recruited to a VFL club). Byrne wasn’t keen to go to Collingwood – he actually wanted to join Melbourne – but at the last minute he was off to Victoria Park. Incidentally, the Blues recruited Robbert Klomp with the form four they received in exchange from the Magpies.

So, after 81 games and 13 goals for Carlton in six seasons, he found himself at Victoria Park, where he quickly established himself in Collingwood’s lineup. He went on to play 121 games and boot 10 goals in black and white, including three consecutive losing Grand Finals – to Carlton in 1979, Richmond in 1980 and Carlton again in ’81. Byrne can remember his first night at Collingwood especially well, as he wore a Carlton jumper out onto the track, and as he recalled, “got a few dirty looks”.

In round 19 of the ’83 season, Collingwood met Richmond at the MCG in Richmond champion Kevin Bartlett’s 400th AFL/VFL game. His opponent that afternoon was Ray Byrne. As the teams lined up for the first bounce, Byrne reached down into his sock, stood up, and presented the balding Tiger star with a toothless comb! Bartlett was amused, but not distracted, and Richmond won convincingly.

In 1984, Byrne felt his time was up at Collingwood and asked for a clearance to Geelong. The ‘Pies concurred and, at the age of 32, Ray played another 17 games with the Cats, before finally calling it quits after an impressive career.

In 1977, Ray’s twin brother Phil Byrne played four Reserves games for the Blues, and then returned to the Bendigo League.

A fantastic article by Sam Lane that should be of interest to all past players.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/players-pay-a-lifelong-price-study-20130710-2pqhv.html

While 60 per cent of the almost 600 ex-players surveyed required ongoing treatment for their old football injuries, the study showed that only 6 per cent have had their medical costs covered by their old football club or the AFLPA.

The compelling data, published only in abridged form by the university, prefaces an imminent launch by the AFLPA of a new injury treatment and hardship fund. The AFLPA has confirmed to Fairfax Media that the new scheme will kick off with a $250,000 contribution from the AFL’s current player collective, after which retired footballers will apply for injury treatment funding that will require approval from an AFLPA-appointed panel.

Football’s body blows

• 76 per cent of past players experienced serious injuries in elite football.
• Of those who reported serious injuries, 64 per cent are still aff ected in daily life by their previous VFL/AFL ailments.
• Of those who reported serious injuries, 60 per cent require on-going treatment for old football injuries.
• 6 per cent have treatment costs covered by their old VFL/AFL club or the AFL Players Association.
• 73 per cent experienced concussion during their elite career.
• A ‘‘high incidence’’ of multiple concussions experienced by those who reporting a serious injury.

Source: University of Western Australia study research commissioned by the AFL Players Association and surveyed 592 retired VFL/AFL players (average age 51.1 years, average playing career 7.7 years).

If you are eligible we strongly recommend you become a member of the AFLPA Alumni for a small one off fee that could save thousands in medical costs.

For more information check out our AFL page – http://spiritofcarlton.com.au/blog/aflpa/

A very happy 90th birthday to Ron Hines today.

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From the Blueseum:

Career : 1943 – 1948
Debut : Round 14, 1943 vs Essendon, aged 20 years, 34 days
Carlton Player No. 585
Games : 58
Goals : 21
Last Game : Round 6, 1948 vs Essendon, aged 24 years 316 days
Guernsey No. 11
Height : 165 cm (5 ft. 5 in.)
Weight : 65.5 kg (10 stone, 4 lbs.)
DOB : July 11, 1923

An honest and popular wingman who was drawn to Carlton while serving as an aircraft mechanic with the RAAF in World War II, Ron ‘Ripper ‘ Hines is remembered as one of two Blues who suffered the anguish of being dropped from the team prior to the infamous 1945 ‘Bloodbath’ Grand Final. The other player to miss out was fellow wingman Fred Fitzgibbon, who was suspended for four weeks by the VFL Tribunal after Carlton’s sensational victory over Collingwood in the previous week’s Preliminary Final.

Born in Ballarat, but living in Melbourne when war was declared, Hines enlisted for service with the RAAF in 1942. While training at various establishments around Melbourne – including Point Cook and Laverton – Ron played as often as possible with his home team – Coburg District – as well as with the Air Force in inter-service matches.

In 1943, he found his way to Princes Park, and was given his first opportunity at senior level in a vital game against Essendon at Windy Hill in round 14. Wearing guernsey number 11, Hines started on a wing (alongside Bob Chitty, in the centre) as Carlton won a tense, dour struggle by 3 points. His second game was that year’s first Semi Final against Fitzroy, which ended in a 51-point hiding for the Blues.

Over the next two years, Hines was a regular senior player. His 20 matches on a wing or at half-forward in 1945 included Carlton’s easy victory over North Melbourne in one Semi Final, followed by a stirring win over Collingwood in a bitter and physical Preliminary Final. In the aftermath of that bloody clash, Carlton’s Fred Fitzgibbon was found guilty of striking Collingwood enforcer Len Hustler, and suspended by the tribunal for four matches. A few days later, Hines also suffered a huge disappointment when he was omitted from the Grand Final team to play South Melbourne, and replaced by Alex Way. As has been extensively documented, Carlton then went on to beat the Bloods by 28 points in the most spiteful and controversial Premiership play-off of them all.

However, Hines’ dignified reaction to his omission from the flag side, and his genuine joy at Carlton’s achievement, endeared him to his team-mates. Rather than sulking, he was as keen as ever over the following two seasons, even though he was never the first player picked each week. He missed out on a place in another dramatic Grand Final victory for the Blues in 1947, and bid farewell to VFL football after Essendon defeated the Blues by 28 points at Princes Park in round 6, 1948.

The excitement builds as there is now just one month to go to the Lunch with the Carlton Captains. Our big event of the year at the magnificent Grand Hyatt ballroom.

To secure your tickets call 1300 227 586, alternatively use our ORDER FORM.

For more details CLICK HERE.

The Spirit of Carlton are proud to announce that Alpine Australia will be providing an amazing $5000 car sound package as a raffle prize during the upcoming SOC Lunch with the Carlton Captains.

CLICK HERE to secure your table or seat to this iconic Carlton event.

This exclusive raffle prize along with many others will be available to anyone attending the event and purchasing a ticket.

The $5000 package includes:

Come racing with JPR in this Striking Colt by Not A Single Doubt!

Click here to view a video of him and the added bonuses of racing him with JPR and VOBIS Gold!

Only 60% remains so be quick or you’ll miss out!

Contact JPR Development Manager Simon Buckley on 0419 872 361 now to secure your share!

Happy 80th to Peter Bevilacqua.

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From the Blueseum

Career: 1953
Debut and only game: Round 18, 1953 v North Melbourne, aged 20 years, 61 days
673rd Carlton Player
Goals: 0
Guernsey No. 39 (1953).
Height: 168cm
Weight: 75kg
DOB: 29 June, 1933

Wearing guernsey #39, Peter Bevilacqua represented Carlton in a single game in Season 1953. Bevilacqua is listed as being 168cm in height and 75 kilos in weight.He was also a member of the reserves premiership team in 1953.

At the end of 1953 Bevilacqua transferred to Gippsland team Traralgon.

Bevilacqua originally came from the University Blues.

His fascinating story is told in great detail in the Blueseum / carltonfc.com.au article listed below.

Career Highlights

1953 – Reserves Premiership Player

Links

Articles: The Peter Bevilacqua Story

Happy 80th birthday to Ron Robertson.

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From the Blueseum

Career : 1952 – 1956
Debut : Round 1, 1952 vs North Melbourne, aged 18 years, 299 days
Carlton Player No. 657
Games : 30
Goals : 8
Last Game : Round 1, 1956 v Essendon, aged 22 years, 294 days
Guernsey No. 21
Height : 175 cm (5 ft. 9 in.)
Weight : 71.5 kg (11 stone, 4 lbs.)
DOB : 24 June, 1933

A clever player recruited by the Blues from South Bendigo, Ron Robertson played 30 senior matches in just over four full seasons at Princes Park between 1952 and 1956. His mop of dark hair and his exuberance made him a crowd favourite with Carlton fans, and the umpires couldn’t miss him, either. Despite relatively few games, he polled Brownlow Medal votes in all but one of his completed seasons with the Blues, and was a popular clubman throughout his stay.

Robertson began his senior career at Carlton as a half-forward flanker, wearing guernsey number 21. An unselfish type who brought those around him into the game, he managed six matches in his first season, and had played another four by round 17, 1953, when his coach Percy Bentley challenged him to play the centre (as a stand-in for the injured Doug Beasy) against Hawthorn at Princes Park. To Bentley’s delight, Robertson got plenty of the ball that afternoon, and distributed it well as Carlton won by 42 points. From then on, Ron alternated between the pivot and the flank. He finished the year on a high when he controlled the centre as Carlton’s Reserves picked up their fifth flag on Grand Final day 1953, with a comfortable 4-goal victory over Essendon.

Robertson’s most consistent season was 1954. He played 13 games, kicked three goals and picked up five Brownlow votes, but the Blues disappointed everyone involved by slipping to finish seventh on the ladder. Ron’s form too, tapered off, and he managed only another four senior matches in 1955.

He played at half-forward in Carlton’s first match of 1956, against Essendon at Windy Hill, but in the aftermath of a meek loss by 28 points, Carlton’s new coach Jim Francis questioned the viability of some of his men, and Robertson was one of three players omitted from the team for the following week.

A fortnight later, while playing for Carlton Reserves against St Kilda, Ron suffered a serious shoulder injury that curtailed his season, and eventually, ended his league career.

Career Highlights

1953 – Reserves Premiership Player

Click Here to read the June Edition of the AFL Players Alumni Newsletter

We encourage all past players to become a member of the AFL Players Alumni as the benefits they bring in terms of medical and welfare support are significant.

Happy 70th birthday to Brian Henderson today!

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From the Blueseum:

Playing Career : 1964
Debut : Round 8, 1964 Aged 20 years 354 days
764th Carlton Player
Games : 2
Goals : 0
Last Game : Round 9, 1964 Aged 20 years 361 days
Guernsey No. 38 (1964).
Height : 185 cm (6’1″)
Weight : 80.75 kgs (12.10)
DOB : June 18, 1943

Wearing guernsey #38 and listed at 185cm, Henderson played 2 consecutive games for Carlton after debuting in 1964.

Henderson was recruited from Brunswick City, he then graduated from the Blues U/19’s to senior ranks.

Henderson also wore No.52 when he played with Carlton reserves from 1961 to 1963.

Henderson headed to Nathalia for the 1965 season.

Milestones

1960 – U/19’s Most Serviceable Award
1961 – U/19’s Most Serviceable Award

Jason Petch Racing is proud to announce a new partnership with the Spirit of Carlton – the Carlton Football Club’s Past and Present Players Association.

The Spirit of Carlton’s aim is to bring together past players & officials and current players to renew and build the Carlton spirit and at the same time raise funds to help improve the Carlton team performance and team spirit.

A great admirer of the Carlton Football Club, Jason Petch Racing has come on board as a sponsor of the Spirit Of Carlton’s major function – the annual special themed luncheon – which this year is ‘Lunch with the Carlton Captains’ to be held in early August at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne.

“What a great opportunity to join and sponsor such a great club in Australian Sport as the Carlton Football Club,” Jason Petch said. “We look forward to working with the Spirit Of Carlton to help them with their famous annual luncheon and working towards getting them involved in the racing industry.”

Carlton great and Spirit Of Carlton Secretary Geoff Southby has welcomed the joint venture between the two parties – “Jason is a very professional young trainer and we are thrilled to have his stable on board with the Spirit Of Carlton,” Geoff said. “We look forward to working with Jason and his team in the future and getting involved with the stable. The Spirit Of Carlton is all about working together to better both on and off field performance and culture, just like at Jason Petch Racing. It’s a great fit for us as we stand for the same purpose and we hope that not just the Spirit Of Carlton members, but all Carlton supporters will get behind the stable.”

The partnership between Jason Petch Racing and the Spirit of Carlton is a first for racing and strengthens Jason Petch Racing’s push of ‘taking racing to a whole new level’. Works are already in place to secure a horse for members of the Spirit Of Carlton to get them off-and-racing in the thoroughbred racing industry.

For more information regarding the Spirit Of Carlton and the ‘Lunch with the Carlton Captains’ – visit www.spiritofcarlton.com.au

For more information regarding Jason Petch Racing – visit www.jpetchracing.com.au

Congratulations to Leigh McConnon on the milestone of 60 years!

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From our Youtube Channel:

From the Blueseum:

Career : 1976 – 1977
Debut: Round 3, 1976 vs Fitzroy, aged 22 years, 312 days
Carlton Player No. 858
Games : 26
Goals : 4
Last Game : Round 15, 1977 vs St Kilda, aged 24 years, 30 days
Guernsey No. 32
Height : 177 cm ( 5 ft. 9 in.)
Weight : 74.5 kg (11 stone, 10 lbs.)
DOB : June 9, 1953

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in 1974, Carlton’s scouts were impressed by a lightly-framed wingman who starred in North Hobart’s victory in the Southern Tasmanian Football League Grand Final. The 21 year-old speedster was Leigh McConnon, a gifted athlete who had already won a number of professional sprint races.

North Melbourne were also showing interest in McConnon, but it was the Blues who signed him. He arrived at Princes Park in 1975, and began a long and varied football journey. Standing 177 cm and weighing in at 75 kg, he was allocated guernsey number 32, and the freedom to use his speed to advantage. Unfortunately, raw pace proved not to be enough at a time when Richmond, in particular, were developing 183 cm, 85 kg wingmen who were also genuinely quick.

McConnon played 26 games for Carlton and kicked four goals in a two-season stay that lasted until in 1977. In 1978, he bobbed up at Fitzroy, where he racked up another 23 games in seasons 1980-81. Afterwards he played at VFA clubs Williamstown and Sandringham, before successfully turning his hand to coaching at a string of country and suburban clubs including Hadfield and Sunbury in Victoria, and North Hobart, Clarence and Kingston in Tasmania.

Happy 84th to Keith, up in Tatura.

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From the Blueseum:

Career : 1951 – 1955
Debut : Round 1, 1951 vs Hawthorn, aged 21 years, 317 days
Carlton Player No. 648
Games : 74
Goals : 91
Last Game : Round 11, 1955 vs Richmond, aged 26 years, 24 days
Guernsey No. 7
Height : 178 cm (5 ft. 10 in.)
Weight : 79 kg (12 stone, 6 lbs.)
DOB : 6 June, 1929
Leading Goalkicker: 1951
Victorian Representative 1952

Early in his career at Carlton, one Melbourne newspaper described Keith Warburton as ‘an acrobat in football boots,’ when his spectacular high marking made him an instant crowd favourite at Princes Park. He enjoyed a meteoric start to his VFL career with the Blues, until he was seriously injured in his first and only finals match in 1952. Although he recovered and played on for another three seasons, he never quite scaled the heights of his first two years.

Warburton began making football headlines in 1948, as a dasher for Brighton in the VFA. He starred in the centre when the Penguins beat Williamstown for the 1948 flag, and the following year, kicked 101 goals when he was shifted to full-forward. Although he was just 178 cm and 79 kg, Keith had superb judgement, vice-like hands and a huge leap. His trademark was to fly for the ball from anywhere and from any angle, pulling down ‘screamers’ week after week.

Warburton joined Carlton in 1951 and played his first senior match in guernsey number 7 against Hawthorn in the opening round of the season. At full-forward, he thrilled supporters of both sides with his aerial skills, and steered through seven goals – most of them with long, accurate drop-kicks off either foot. The Blues won by 30 points, and Warburton was a unanimous choice as Best on Ground.

Keith kicked five goals (or more) on four occasions in his first season, although overall it was a poor year for the club. His tally of 48 majors won him Carlton’s leading goal-kicker and best first-year player awards, while Carlton wound up seventh on the 12-team ladder. But Warburton’s emergence, alongside other exciting recruits like Bruce Comben and Laurie Kerr, had given every Blues supporter renewed faith in the future.

Sure enough, the Blues improved markedly as a combination in 1952, when coach Percy Bentley began releasing Warburton from his strictly goal-kicking role, and alternating him through the centre or half-forward. He seemed to relish his freedom up the ground, and his form was so consistently good that he was selected in the Victorian state team mid-year.

Sent forward again late in the season, he tuned up for September with a 6-goal haul against Collingwood in round 17, and was named at full-forward for the Semi Final against Fitzroy. Early in that fateful game (which somehow went to Fitzroy by one point, despite Carlton having nine more scoring shots) Warburton was struck a fearful blow in the abdomen. Perhaps it was an elbow, maybe a knee, but it pole-axed Keith and he took some time to recover. He played out the match, and seemed to be okay – until he suddenly collapsed at the club’s post-match function that night, and was rushed to hospital.

For the next few days, Keith hovered near death with a ruptured kidney and bowel. He needed constant blood transfusions, so Carlton players, staff, and many supporters rallied around to help. He eventually pulled through, although problems did persist and he was forced to have a kidney removed when his playing days were over.

Remarkably, Keith returned to the field in 1953. Percy Bentley was often reluctant to play him out of the goal square from then on, but Warburton continued to be a valuable, consistent member of the team in the centre or a flank. Although hampered by a knee injury and another alarming knock to his lower back, Keith played another 38 matches and booted 24 goals between 1953 and ’55, before retiring after a loss to Richmond at the Punt Road Oval in round 11, 1955.

When he left Princes Park, Keith took on the role of captain-coach at Tatura for the 1956 season. He finished runner-up in the Goulburn Valley Football League Best and Fairest award in 1957, and 14 years later, watched proudly as his son Peter played the first of his four senior matches for the Old Dark Navy Blues.

All the best to Frank Bateman on his 89th birthday today!

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From the Blueseum:

Career : 1949 – 1950
Debut : Round 17, 1949 vs Geelong, aged 25 years, 67 days
Carlton Player No. 634
Games : 16
Goals : 13
Last Game : Round 17, 1950 vs Footscray, aged 26 years, 73 days
Guernsey No. 29
Height : 183 cm (6 feet)
Weight : 86 kg (13 stone, 9 lbs.)
DOB : 6 June, 1924

Frank Bateman was a robust follower-forward from Leongatha who experienced the thrill of playing in the 1949 Grand Final for Carlton in just his fifth senior match. He showed enough promise to be urged to continue, but his form tailed off in his second season, and his career petered out after just over a year of VFL football.

Bateman got his first opportunity at senior level in round 17, 1949, when the Blues travelled to Geelong to take on the Cats at Kardinia Park in a crunch game. Carlton was entrenched in third place on the ladder, while Geelong were sixth – but still very much in contention. The absence through injury of Carlton’s front-line tap ruckmen; ‘Chooka’ Howell and Ken Hands, created the opportunity for a couple of lesser lights in Bateman and Bernie Baxter to show their wares, and both contributed in a slashing 43-point win by the Blues.

Bateman stood up under real physical pressure, while Bernie and his brother Ken went on a goal-kicking rampage, ending up with nine majors between them. Bernie drifted across from the pocket and sent through a good goal, while Ken marked everything that came his way and kicked the other eight!

It was Frank’s turn to get among the goals the following week, when he booted the first two majors of his career in a 21-point victory over St Kilda at Princes Park. On the same day, Ken Hands returned to the team, joining with Bateman and Herb Turner in a first ruck combination that would lead the Blues into battle throughout our finals campaign.

Although a shock loss to North Melbourne at Arden Street wasn’t the ideal way to finish off the 1949 home and away season, Carlton struck back and knocked over the Shinboners in the second Semi Final. That meant that, after only four senior games for the Blues, Bateman was in line to play his next match in a VFL Grand Final against Essendon. The only question was; would Carlton’s selectors keep him in the team now that Howell and Hands were fit again?

The answer was yes. Frank’s dream came true after the following Thursday night’s hectic training session at Princes Park when he was told that he had retained his place alongside Hands in the ruck, allowing ‘Chooka’ Howell to go to centre half-forward.

Sadly, all those preparations came to nothing on Grand Final day. In front of 90,000 spectators at the MCG, Essendon thrashed Carlton by 73 points in a one-sided affair – highlighted by the duel between Essendon’s blossoming champion full-forward John Coleman, and Carlton’s great full-back Ollie Grieve. Coleman kicked the six goals he needed to take his season’s tally to 100, but few who were there would agree that he got the better of Grieve in a classic football duel.

In his second year, Bateman got off to a slow start when he sat on the reserve bench as 20th man in Carlton’s first two games. He then kicked four goals from a forward pocket when Carlton beat Richmond by 11 points in round 4 at Princes Park. Next, he was tried in a number of other positions – including full-forward – without fully grasping his chances, and by late in the season he was back in a dressing gown on the wrong side of the boundary line.

Although he didn’t know it at the time, Frank appeared in his last senior match for Carlton as 19th man against Footscray the Western Oval in round 17, 1950. On a typically cold and windy day, the Bulldogs used their home-ground advantage well, and beat the Blues by 13 points. Bateman was then left out of the team for the last game of the season, before fronting up again at Princes Park in 1951.

Frank never did manage to break back into the seniors after that, but at least he represented the Reserves for much of the year, and gained some small revenge when Carlton beat Essendon in a hard-fought 1951 Reserves Premiership. Wearing guernsey number 38, Bateman occupied the bench as 20th man yet again on that satisfying afternoon, when the Blues’ Twos toppled the Bombers’ Reserves by 12 points.

Bateman’s last season at the Blues was in 1952, he headed off to VFA Club Preston the following season.