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Geoff Southby

Career: 1971- 1984
Debut: Round 1, 1971 v North Melbourne
825th Carlton Player
Games: 268
Goals: 31
Last game: Round 20, 1984 v North Melbourne
Guernsey No. 20
Height: 188cm
Weight: 86kg
DOB: 27 October, 1950
Best and Fairest: 1971, 1972
Vice-Captain 1974, 1981-83
Victorian Representative Player
Team of the Century: Back Pocket
Premiership Player: 1972, 1979

Most of the current Carlton faithful agree that Stephen Silvagni was deservedly named as the AFL’s Fullback of the Century. However there are plenty of Blues’ supporters of a more mature vintage willing to argue that Geoff Southby could just as easily have been given the nod. That’s how good this rangy, mop-haired, consumate defender was.

From Bendigo League club Sandhurst, Southby arrived at Carlton in late 1970 as a 20 year-old, and was revelation from his first practice game. At 188cm and 87kg he was the perfect build for a key defender of that era. Wearing the number 20 guernsey, he forced his way into the reigning Premiership team for round one of 1971, and a star was born.

Southby had stopped playing footy in his mid teens (U/15’s) and concentrated on his first sporting love – baseball! He was coaxed back into playing footy by mates at the hostel he was staying at in Melbourne whilst studying. He didnt take long to make his mark by winning the best and fairest with amateur club Powerhouse FC in 1969, and then at Sandhurst in 1970. In 1972, after his first two years at VFL level, he had won best and fairests in his last four seasons of football, an extraordinary effort in anyone’s language.

Beautifully balanced and with wonderful reflexes, Southby was a strong mark and a gloriously long kick. But his defensive instinct and coolness under pressure were perhaps his greatest attributes. He invariably made the right decision to mark, or to punch the ball away, and he always seemed to have that split-second longer to dispose of the ball – as all champions do. Indicative of his impact at Princes Park, he won Carlton’s Best & Fairest in his first season as the Blues missed the finals, then won the same award again in 1972 as Carlton crushed Richmond in the Grand Final. It was Carlton’s eleventh VFL Premiership.

By 1973, Geoff was firmly established among the elite of the competition. He had refined his game to become more attacking whenever possible, and his soaring torpedo punts were a real offensive weapon. Such was his influence that at times some opposing teams actually placed a defender at full-forward in an attempt to nullify him!

Following their defeat in ’72, Richmond were burning for revenge when they met Carlton again in the 1973 Grand Final. Led by ruckman Neil Balme, the Tigers went head-hunting on a day when an act of sheer football bastardry occurred that has never been forgiven. Southby was crashed to the ground by an elbow to the head that he didn’t see coming, and the resulting concussion was so severe that he was a passenger for the rest of the day. In fact it was well into the next season before he fully recovered. Richmond won the flag, but lost all respect.

A teaching colleague of mine and an avid Geelong supporter, declares that Southby was the best fullback he ever saw. He remembers the first day he saw Southby at Kardinia Park when he stood the great Doug Wade and mastered him with a cool efficiency that was to become his trademark. My colleague is still appalled by Neil Balme’s unprovoked and cowardly attack upon one of football’s fairest and best players.
Thankfully, by 1975 Geoff was back to his brilliant best and was selected in the Victorian State team for the third time. Carlton made the finals in ’75, ’76 & ’78 without progressing past the semi-finals, before new captain-coach Alex Jesaulenko led a resurgent Blues outfit into the 1979 Grand Final against Collingwood. When Wayne Harmes‘ desperate slide and swipe at the ball in the dying minutes of that game led to a Ken Sheldon goal and a famous victory, Carlton had won its twelfth flag and Geoff Southby his second Premiership medal.

Peter Bosustow

Career : 1981 – 1983
Debut: Round 1, 1981 vs Richmond, aged 23 years, 152 days
Carlton Player No. 888
Games : 65
Goals : 146
Last Game: Round 21, 1983 vs North Melbourne, aged 25 years, 296 days
Guernsey No. 4
Height : 183 cm (6 ft. 0 in.)
Weight : 85 kg (13 stone, 5 lbs.)
DOB : 27 October, 1957
Premiership Player 1981, 1982
Club Leading Goalkicker 1981 (59 goals)

In the summer of 1980-81, Peter “The Buzz” Bosustow arrived at Princes Park for pre-season training – and a relatively short, yet unforgettable career was cleared for lift off. Peter was the son of Bob Bosustow, who came from WAFL club, Perth to play 20 games for Carlton in seasons 1955 and ’56. So it was that when Bob‘s 183 cm, 85 kg son began to dominate the WAFL competition in the late 1970’s, the Blues had the inside running for his signature. After flying him to their round 9 Sunday game against Essendon in Sydney, the Blues signed him under the Father-Son rule then in place.

Bosustow simply gatecrashed a strong Carlton squad that just two years previously had won the flag, and in 1980 should have made it two in a row. Under new coach David Parkin the Blues were hell-bent on claiming our 13th Premiership in 1981, and had assembled a team that was the envy of every other club in the competition. Parkin‘s coaching style demanded discipline in all aspects of the game, but to his credit he realised that in The Buzz he had a rare talent. One that flourished under less restraint; that responded to a personal challenge, and that more often than not could wrest the initiative from any rival with just a quarter or two of football magic.

Often unstoppable as a free-running half-forward, Bosustow was a freakish mark, a brilliant ground-level player and a deadly snapshot at goal. The highlight tapes of seasons 1981 to ’83 are filled with his exploits, including awards for Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year. Bosustow himself talks about his great mark here.

Legend has it that the Buzz promised Mark Maclure that he would give him a ride in his new car before he took his 1981 screamer. He was a crucial part of our glorious 1981 and ’82 Premiership double, and our Leading Goalkicker with 59 goals in 1981. People flocked to see him in action, and he was one of the brightest stars of his era.

In only his second game – during the second quarter of Carlton’s Round 2, 1981 match against Hawthorn at Princes Park, Carlton was kicking to the scoreboard end. ‘Buzz’ marked on the wing, chip-passed to Wayne Johnston and sprinted hard to create the loose man. His opponent – Hawthorn’s tough man Robert Dipierdomenico – ran in to block him, but Bosustow crashed through the beefy Hawk with a punishing, legitimate shirtfront, right in front of the old press box. A resounding crack was heard (to the roar of an adoring throng) and Dipper’s season was prematurely ended by a broken sternum.

The Round 21 game against North Melbourne would turn out to be a last hurrah for the Buzz. He was reported for striking North Melbourne defender John Law, and subsequently rubbed out for four weeks. This meant that he could only have played again that year if Carlton had made the Grand Final – but it was not to be. In what turned out to be a prophetic statement, a clearly upset Bosustow mentioned after his tribunal appearance that “I am absolutely shattered, when the sentence was delivered I thought my career in Melbourne was all over”. He was just 26 years old, and at the peak of his career.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

 

Ken Hands: HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY!

Career : 1945 – 1957
Debut : Round 5, 1945 v St Kilda, aged 18 years, 205 days
Carlton Player No. 606
Games : 211
Goals : 188
Last Game: Semi Final, 1957 v Hawthorn, aged 30 years, 309 days
Guernsey No. 1
Height : 185 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 85 kg (13 stone, 5 lbs)
DOB : 26 October, 1926
Premiership Player : 1945 & 1947
Best and Fairest : 1953
Captain : 1952-1957
Captain of Victoria : 1957
Carlton Coach : 1959 – 1964
Carlton Hall of Fame: 1988
Team of the Century

Another of the pivotal figures in the proud history of the Carlton Football Club, Ken Hands left an indelible mark on, and off the field at Princes Park. A two-time Premiership player, state representative, Best & Fairest winner and inspirational captain, Hands played 211 games and kicked 188 goals in twelve seasons beginning in the last months of World War II. Later, he became embroiled in a long and bitter wrangle with Jim Francis, while both were bidding to coach the Blues.

To the chagrin of Geelong Football Club, Carlton recruited Hands from right under their noses in 1944. As the conflict in Europe and the Pacific drew to a close, the 17 year-old key forward was playing impressive football for amateur side Geelong Scouts. The Cats had had Ken in their sights for months, but it was Carlton who pounced first with a firm offer – including the prestige of wearing guernsey number 1 for the Blues. In his senior debut in round 5 of the ‘45 season, against St Kilda – Carlton won a tough match by 11 points. Hands took some strong marks and kicked two goals at centre half-forward. When the siren sounded after that match, Carlton coach Percy Bentley knew that he had something special in the long-striding, 185 cm, 85 kg youngster.

Carlton lost the first three games of 1945, before a late-season revival brought ten wins in the last eleven matches. The Blues went into the finals in third place, but with some advantage, because the final series was to be played at Princes Park, while the MCG was being used as a transit camp for US forces bound for the war in the Pacific. Carlton struck top form at the right time, beating North Melbourne and Collingwood in successive weeks to earn a shot at South Melbourne in the Grand Final. Our Preliminary Final win over Collingwood was a hard, often spiteful clash, and a real portent of things to come. Bruised and battered, Carlton won on heart alone. For this reason, the fresher South Melbourne team went into the decider as warm favourites.

A ground record of almost 63,000 spectators packed into Princes Park on that Grand Final day. At just 18 years of age, and playing his eighteenth senior match, Hands faced the biggest challenge of his blossoming career at centre half-forward. As expected, the physical intimidation wasn’t long in coming. Carlton were in front by 11 points when the match erupted in the second quarter. “I had taken a mark about fifteen yards out and kicked a goal,” Hands explained later. “While the ball was being taken back to the centre, Jim Cleary knocked me out cold. He must have done a good job because I didn’t actually feel it. In those days you only had a nineteenth man and ours was already on, so I had to keep playing. But I don’t remember anything until about ten minutes before the end of the game, when Perce Bentley, who was in the coaches box just behind the goals, whistled me to drop back into the goal square and I suddenly realised it was raining. That game was quite an initiation, and I’m still paying the price for it – I lost a tooth.” In fact he lost two teeth – to go with his broken nose and split lip!

Seemingly oblivious to the battle raging around him, Ken ended the game with three goals in Carlton’s 28-point victory. Infamously remembered as the “Bloodbath” Grand Final, in all, ten players (including Hands) were reported after the match. Eight were found guilty, and suspended for a total of 68 weeks. Hands was one of the two acquitted.

That tempestuous debut season helped forge Hands into a tough, team-oriented performer. Always a well balanced ball-handler, he was a superb mark for his size and a long, accurate kick – particularly when drop-kicking on the run. He became a leader by example, and while no heavyweight, he was a willing protector of his smaller team-mates. In 1947 he won his second Premiership medal when Carlton beat Essendon after an epic Grand Final struggle. Essendon had nine more scoring shots than the Blues, but rover Fred Stafford snapped a glorious goal with just 44 seconds left on the clock to give Carlton victory by one point.

 

 

John Gill: HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY!

Career : 1962 – 1967
Debut : Round 1, 1962 vs Geelong, aged 20 years, 177 days
Carlton Player No. 745
Games : 88
Goals : 38
Last Game : Round 13, 1967 vs Hawthorn, aged 25 years, 268 days
Guernsey No. 12
Height : 180 cm (5 ft. 11 in.)
Weight : 80 kg (12 stone, 7 lbs.)
DOB : 26 October, 1941
Best First Year Player 1962

John Gill was a player with an impressive football pedigree. The nephew of Frank Gill (Carlton’s champion full-back of the 1930’s), he was also the older brother of 1968 and 1970 Carlton Premiership player Barry Gill. After completing an impressive debut season in 1962, John should have gone on to play 100 games or more for the Navy Blues – had injury not brought a premature end to his VFL career at the age of only 25.

Gill was recruited from Casterton in Western Victoria, and wore guernsey number 12 for the Navy Blues for the first time at senior level in a landmark clash against Geelong at Princes Park in round one, 1962. The Cats’ boom WA recruit, Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, also made his long-awaited debut that afternoon, only to wreck a knee in the first few minutes of the game. However, Farmer stayed on the field, and limped to a forward pocket, where he kicked four goals and led his team to a big win over Carlton by 39 points.

Gill played out that match on a half-forward flank, where his determination and straight-ahead style stood out. From then on, he held his place in the side right through the year, as the Navy Blues battled through to fourth place on the ladder. Three desperately hard-fought finals ensued; a two-point Semi Final win over Melbourne, a famous draw with Geelong in the Preliminary Final, and a dramatic five-point victory over the Cats in a highly-controversial replay. Not surprisingly, those three epics took their toll, and on Grand Final day the valiant Navy Blues were never really in contention against Essendon, losing by six goals. Gill finished his maiden season with 19 matches and twelve goals to his credit, and was a popular winner of Carlton’s Best First Year Player award.

From the highs of 1962, the Navy Blues fell into a slump over the following three seasons, before the coaching coup of the century brought former Melbourne champion Ron Barassi to Princes Park in the summer of 1964-’65. Earlier that same year, John and Barry Gill were reunited on the football field when they played together for the first time as Blues, against Hawthorn at Glenferrie Oval in round 2.

Under Barassi, John Gill developed into a tenacious, hard-working half-back. He was encouraged to seize the initiative, and became adept at wrong-footing opponents by often playing on as soon as he took one of his strong marks. By 1967, Carlton was once again looming as a finals contender, and Johnny had become an asset in defence or attack. Then disaster struck in the opening game of the season, when he tore a knee cartilage in Carlton’s huge win over Fitzroy at Princes Park.

Sidelined for a month, John eventually returned to the side for a handful of games with his knee heavily strapped. But his customary zip was missing, and another knock on the same leg in round 13 against Hawthorn did further damage. Over the next six months, while Barassi’s Blues climbed back toward the top of the VFL ladder, Gill was under constant medical treatment. Sadly, it was all in vain, and on doctor’s advice he retired at the end of that year.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

Ian Collins

Career : 1961 – 1971
Debut : Round 1, 1961 vs St Kilda, aged 18 years, 173 days
Carlton Player No. 737
Games : 161
Goals : 49
Last Game : Round 22, 1971 vs Collingwood, aged 28 years, 308 days
Guernsey No. 19
Height : 175 cm ( 5 ft. 9 in.)
Weight : 73.5 kg (11 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : 24 October, 1942
Premiership Player 1968
Carlton Hall of Fame (2001)
President: 2003 – 2006

A courageous, uncompromising back pocket in the Blues’ 1968 Premiership team, Ian Collins went on to serve as Secretary-Manager and President through some of Carlton Football Club’s most successful, and later, most turbulent times.

After rejecting overtures from St Kilda and Melbourne, Collins arrived at Princes Park in 1960. He was widely regarded as a ready-made league footballer following an impressive junior career at his home town of Sale in Gippsland, from where he had starred in various representative teams as a quick and skilful centreman or half-forward flanker. At 175 cm and 74 kg he struggled at first to cement a regular place in a team not short of smaller, pacey types, until he was tried as a back pocket in his second year. Almost immediately, he made the last line his territory, and began forging a reputation as a courageous and difficult opponent in the number 19 guernsey.

In 1962 Carlton made the finals after many years in the football wilderness, and played Geelong in the Preliminary Final for the right to meet Essendon for the flag. In a willing, sometimes spiteful encounter, Collins suffered a broken jaw and a split tongue. Carlton won the match, so Collins was determined he would be playing the following week. Somehow, he managed to conceal the severity of the injury, and was far from our worst performer. Essendon, however proved too good.

Six years on, Carlton met the Bombers again for the 1968 Premiership, and turned the tables to claim our first flag in 21 seasons. Collins was solid as always on a great day when wingman Garry Crane was the Blues’ best in a hard-fought three point win. Alongside Collins at full-back as usual was Wes Lofts, and the duo were a daunting proposition. Later, Lofts served as the Blues’ Chairman of Selectors for many years, and he and Collins forged a strong partnership at board level.

Collins might well have collected a second Premiership medal if he had not suffered a serious achilles tendon tear that cost him the entire 1970 football season. While it was a severe blow to his sporting aspirations, the forced holiday did have an upside, in that “Collo” was at least able to complete his tertiary studies in accountancy. The skills he acquired were to prove more than handy when he announced his retirement from league football following the 1971 final series. He was 29, with 161 games and 49 goals to his credit. He spent the following season of 1972 as captain-coach of VFA club Port Melbourne (where one of his players was his former coach at Carlton, Ron Barassi), then hung up his boots for good to prepare for bigger things.

In 1981 Collo was appointed Secretary-Manager of the Carlton Football Club, a position he filled with distinction for twelve years. In this time the Blues won three more flags. In 1993 he became the AFL Director of Football Operations, and in 1999 was appointed CEO of Stadium Operations Ltd, responsible for the AFL’s showpiece Docklands Stadium (Telstra Dome). He was elected to the Carlton Hall of Fame in 2001, and awarded an Order of Australia for his service to the game.

Peter Sartori

Career : 1987 – 1991
Debut : Round 1, 1987 vs Hawthorn, aged 22 years, 154 days
Carlton Player No. 941
Games : 57
Goals : 114
Last Game : Round 24, 1991 vs Richmond, aged 26 years, 310 days
Guernsey No. 18
Height : 195 cm (6 ft. 4 in.)
Weight : 92 kg ( 14 stone, 7 lbs.)
DOB : 24 October, 1964

Another in a long list of VFL/AFL footballers in the category of “could have been anything, but for injury,” West Australian Peter Sartori spent eight seasons with Carlton and Fitzroy between 1987 and 1994, yet managed only 77 games all up. A tall ruckman-forward, he had rare ability and all the physical attributes needed, but sadly, his body let him down with monotonous regularity.

Sartori was just 17 when he played his first senior match for Swan Districts, and 18 when he suffered his first major injury – a ruptured kidney – which kept him out of the Swans’ 1982 Premiership side. When he did eventually return to the field however, he clicked into rare form. His marking skill, versatility and intuitive reading of the play made him a driving force in both of the Swans’ follow-up flag victories in 1983 and ’84. By 1986 he had represented WA twice, won his club’s Best and Fairest award, and well and truly caught the eye of just about every AFL club.

Carlton won the contest for his signature, and Sartori came to Princes Park to augment a growing contingent of star forwards with WA origins – a group that would eventually include Peter Bosustow, Ross Ditchburn, Warren Ralph, Jon Dorotich, Richard Dennis and Earl Spalding. Yet competition for places was fierce, as the club also had Stephen Kernahan, Simon Minton-Connell and Warren McKenzie on its books at the time.

Sartori was assigned guernsey number 18, and made his debut for the Blues in round 1, 1987, against Hawthorn at Princes Park. His first half-dozen games were rather unremarkable, before he strained a hamstring to cut short his progress, and didn’t return to the seniors until late in the season. Then, in only his eighth game, the big Sandgroper showed what he was capable of when he and his captain, Stephen Kernahan went on a rampage against Geelong at Kardinia Park, and kicked a massive 15 goals between them. ‘Sticks’ booted eight, and Sartori contributed seven in a display of forward power that had Carlton supporters in rapture.

That joy lasted for only a fortnight – until the first week of the finals. After a torrid year, the Blues had claimed the minor premiership, and met Hawthorn in what proved to be the defining match of the season in the second Semi Final. Trailing by 15 points at the main break, Carlton stormed home to win by that same margin – but at a cost. Sartori’s hamstring tore again, and his year was prematurely ended. He had kicked one goal on the day, and set up two others with skilful palming of the ball to Johnston and Naley. The Johnston goal came from a clever flip over the back of the pack to the Dominator, who goaled with a right foot snap. In the following quarter at the main scoreboard end, Sartori deftly palmed the ball to Naley in heavy traffic, and his clever snap brought up another telling goal. Both of those scores were the direct result of clever ruckwork by the big West Australian, and showed that it was a much-underrated facet of his game. However, that was all academic in the end, because he could only watch on in frustration two weeks later, when his team decisively beat the Hawks yet again in the Grand Final.

Thanks to the Blueseum for player profiles and pics.

Craig Bradley

Career : 1986 – 2002
Debut : Round 1, 1986 vs Hawthorn, aged 22 years, 159 days
Carlton Player No. 931
Games : 375
Goals : 247
Last Game : Round 19, 2002 vs Port Adelaide, aged 38 years, 291 days
Guernsey No. 21
Height : 182 cm (5 ft. 11 in.)
Weight : 81 kg (12 stone, 11 lbs.)
DOB : 23 October, 1963
Premiership Player : 1987, 1995
Carlton Legend
Carlton Hall of Fame : 1995
Best and Fairest: 1986, 1988, 1993
All Australian: 1986, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997
Captain: 1998-2002
Team of the Century: Wing
International Rules Series vs Ireland : 2000, 2001 (captain), 2002

Off the field, Craig Bradley was a somewhat quiet, unassuming character who never hungered for the spotlight. But when the umpire’s whistle blew for a game of Australian football, he became a consummate professional whose outstanding ball-winning ability, accurate disposal, punishing non-stop running and longevity in the game made him one of the all-time greats. “Braddles” captained the Blues for three years, won two AFL Premierships, and picked up almost every possible honour in a stellar career that spanned 17 seasons and a record 375 games for the Carlton Football Club.

He began his football journey at Pooraka in outer-suburban Adelaide, where his father was coach of the Under-19 team. Craig was a standout junior footballer, and in 1981 he was recruited by SANFL club Port Adelaide. At the same time, Essendon also made a big pitch for his signature. The Bombers were very intent on getting him to Windy Hill, but Bradley wasn’t then ready to make the big move interstate.

Essendon redoubled their efforts after Bradley’s sensational debut year for Port Adelaide, which culminated in the Magpies’ 51-point demolition of Glenelg in the Grand Final. Playing on a wing, but roaming the length of the ground, 17 year-old Bradley was one of his team’s best. He followed up by winning Port’s Best and Fairest in 1982, before departing for England later that year, as a member of the Australian Under-19 cricket team. Cricket was Braddles’ other great sporting passion, and he would eventually play two Sheffield Shield games each for South Australia and Victoria, before giving the game away to further his football ambitions.

Because of his cricketing commitments, Bradley missed most of the 1983 pre-season with Port, but it made little difference, because he had another dominant season for the Magpies and was named All Australian for the first time. Two more Port Adelaide Best and Fairests followed in 1984 and ’85 – with the latter complemented by All Australian honours again.

In that year of 1985, four South Australians were named as All Australians; Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, Peter Motley and John Platten – and to the chagrin and envy of every other VFL club (especially Essendon) the first three all signed to play with Carlton. In the following year that trio of stars took to VFL football like they were born to it, and a time of bubbling confidence began for the Old Dark Navy Blues.

Braddles wasted little time in announcing his arrival into the upper echelons of our national game by playing in the 1986 Grand Final in his debut season at Princes Park; the same year he won his first Carlton Best and Fairest award in a tie with Wayne Johnston. The Blues lost heavily to Hawthorn on Grand Final day, but twelve months later bounced back to snatch the 1987 flag from the Hawks in Bradley’s 47th senior match.

By then, he was already a budding champion whose amazing stamina was too much for almost every opponent. He simply ran his taggers into the ground, and he was as effective in the last minutes of a game as he was at the start. He won two more Carlton Best and Fairest awards in 1988 and 1993, and by the end of his superb career had been an All Australian six times.

Aged 32, he picked up his second Premiership winner’s medallion in 1995 when the unstoppable Kernahan-led Blues demolished Geelong in a one-sided Grand Final, but those who thought he might retire after that triumph were right off the mark. He still had his zip, his footy smarts and his brilliant foot skills, and he had transformed himself from a purely attacking weapon into an equally-effective sweeper across half-back. And to cap off a memorable season, he became one of only a handful of players to be inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame while still playing out their career.

In 1997, at the age of 34, Bradley won the Sunday Age Footballer of the Year award. ”It’s not the end of the world when you reach 30,” he said in a blunt response to those who kept asking how long he intended going on – to his considerable annoyance.

After being named All Australian yet again that year, he answered all those sorts of questions when he was appointed captain of his beloved Blues in 1998 – after the retirement of his great mate ‘Sticks’ Kernahan. Braddles led the Blues into another Grand Final in 1999, but the Wayne Carey-inspired Kangaroos proved just too good.

Jason Saddington

 

Carlton Career: 2006 – 2008
Debut: Round 3, 2006 v Sydney (Carlton)
Carlton Player No. 1 092
Games: 20 (Overall 162)
Goals: 6 (Overall 47)
Last game: Round 20, 2008 v Port Adelaide
Guernsey No. 9
Height: 193cm
Weight: 94kg
DOB: 23 October, 1979

Jason Saddington was picked up by Carlton in a trade for a 4th round draft pick with the Sydney Swans. Given the Number 9 guernsey, ‘Saddo’ was released by the Swans after being in the Harbour City for 9 years. He was originally drafted pick 11 in 1997. He was a Rising Star nominee in 1998.

At 193cm, and with 142 games of AFL experience, there was a hope that Saddington could hold down a key defensive post at Carlton, or in the least, provide a buffer of strength and learning before our young defenders could stake a permanent claim.

Saddington made his debut for Carlton in Round 3, 2006 against his former team, kicking a goal but spending much of the game at interchange. ‘Saddo’ would only manage to play a further 5 games for the Blues in 2006, having to battle readjustment to AFL football and a continuing troublesome knee, which would require further work and his season would end prematurely, surely disappointing the player and the Club.

Saddington would play his first game for 2007 in Round 7 as a late replacement for Bret Thornton, who succumbed to a shin injury. Saddington was a key player in defence with 12 marks. One week later, Saddington would bring up his 150th AFL game against the Kangaroos at Carrarra – 8 for the Blues and 142 for the Swans.

Jason’s season seemed to improve under new coach Brett Ratten, who allowed him to play occasionally as a loose man in defence where he chopped off numerous opposition attacks and created play out of the backline. Overall he would play 12 games in 2007, and would find himself on occasion later in the season as the most senior (by age) Blue out there.

With a move to youth in 2008, many supporters may have thought his time at Carlton was up, but our lack of tall defenders saw Saddington get a surprising call-up to play in the Round 19 66-point victory over reigning Grand Finalists Port Adelaide. Saddington was given the job on young forward Justin Westhoff and managed to keep him to only one goal. Saddington was also selected the week after, but it would be his final AFL / Carlton game, with him retiring at the end of the season.

Saddington finished with 162 games, a great effort from a popular player.

Saddington won the Northern Bullants ‘Laurie Hill Trophy’ for their best and fairest player in 2008 and was an assistant coach and an valuable player when the ‘Ants were runners up in the 2009 grand final. Saddington headed back to NSW at the end of 2009, he signed with the Balmain FC for the 2010 season.

 Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

Dan Beauvais

Career : 1945
Debut: Round 8, 1945 vs Geelong, aged 24 years, 232 days
Carlton Player No. 607
Games : 4
Goals : 5
Last Game : Round 12, 1945 vs Melbourne, aged 24 years, 260 days
Guernsey No. 17
Height : 187 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 86 kg ( 13 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB: 20 October, 1920

Dan Beauvais had a brief 4-game career at Princes Park in 1945 – one of the most tumultuous years in history. It was the year when World War II finally ended with the atomic bombing of two Japanese cities, and when the Carlton football club won a famous, controversial seventh VFL flag in the ‘Bloodbath’ Grand Final victory over South Melbourne.

One of ten young men to wear the Old Dark Navy Blue for the first time in 1945 was Dan Beauvais, a 24 year-old from Jeparit who did well when he came off the bench and kicked two goals in Carlton’s good win over Geelong at Kardinia Park in round 8.

Beauvais was rewarded with a place in one forward pocket the following week (alongside Lance Collins and Ron Hines) and put through another three majors during Carlton’s 9-point loss to Footscray at Princes Park. After this sixth loss of the year, the Blues were languishing in ninth place on the ladder, well out of finals contention.

However, a shock win over second -placed North Melbourne at Arden Street in round 10 revived the Blues spirit, especially when Collins returned to form at full-forward and kicked six terrific goals. Beauvais didn’t trouble the scorers that afternoon, but was still a little unlucky to lose his place in the side when the versatile Ken Baxter returned from injury the next week, and Carlton at home beat South Melbourne by six points.

Beauvais spent just that one week in the seconds before he was recalled as 19th man for round 12 against Melbourne. He sat on the pine throughout the game, even as Melbourne rattled home, kicking 4.1 to Carlton’s 2.1 in the last quarter at Punt Road. The Blues held on to win by 1 point, and moved to within 8 points of the top four.

Even so, Beauvais was apparently dissatisfied with his progress at Carlton, and soon afterward decided to switch clubs to Hawthorn. Carlton wanted him to stay, and the matter dragged on for some weeks until Dan was eventually released. Thereafter, while the Blues continued climbing the mountain toward the finals and eventually succeeded, Beauvais joined the Hawks, and played another seven matches before retiring in 1946.

Peter Jones

Playing Career : 1966 – 1979
Debut : Round 16, 1966 Aged 19 years 297 days
790th Carlton Player
Games : 249
Goals : 284
Last Game : Grand Final, 1979 Aged 32 years 344 days
Guernsey No. 28
Height : 198 cm (6’6″)
Weight : 109 kgs (17.2)
DOB : October 20, 1946
Premiership Player: 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979
Best and Fairest: 1973
B. J. Deacon Memorial Trophy -Best Clubman Award : 1978
Victorian Representative: 1977
Carlton Hall of Fame (1988)

He was part actor, part comedian and an all round quality footballer. Peter ‘Percy’ Jones is one of the truly unique characters in the long history of the Carlton Football Club. His unbounded enthusiasm on the field – and his legendary exploits off it – endeared the lanky Tasmanian to generations of Blues’ fans.

Jones joined Carlton from North Hobart in 1966. He was a 20 year-old, 194 cm ruckman with considerable promise, however a serious car accident soon after his arrival – in which he injured both legs – was a portent of things to come. Happily, he recovered in time to play the last three games of the year and showed enough for new coach Ron Barassi to retain him.

By 1968 ‘Percy’ had settled into the senior team as understudy to John Nicholls. He found his niche in a forward pocket, where his strong marking and accurate kicking was invaluable. And it was about then that his obvious joy at every Carlton goal – whether it be kicked by himself or a team-mate – began to be noticed. As soon as a Blues players’ shot for goal was on its way, Percy would be clapping and cheering – even if it was obviously going to miss. And his Charlie Chaplin-like bewilderment when a free kick was awarded against him was hilarious. He was a handy part of both the 1968 and 1970 Premiership teams, then the Jones legend really started rolling.

In August 1971 at the Junction Oval in St Kilda, Carlton were playing Fitzroy in a game crucial to The Blues’ finals chances. The match started in sunshine, but just after the half-time break a thick fog rolled over the ground from nearby Port Phillip Bay. It was so dense that players only a metre or so apart couldn’t see each other. They relied on their ears more than their eyes, while the time keepers caught only glimpses of the players and had to rely on the emergency umpire to relay the few additional scores. Late in the quarter, the ball came bouncing past Percy, who had dropped back into defence. ‘There it is!’, he shouted – and a Fitzroy opponent pounced on the ball and goaled. Carlton lost an extraordinary game, and missed that year’s Finals by two points!

Percy was quickly forgiven however, when he proved his blossoming talent with a dominant display against a powerhouse Richmond in the 1972 Grand Final. The Tigers went in as hot favourites after drawing with, then beating Carlton in the second semi. The Blues then had to win a tight Preliminary Final against St Kilda, while Richmond had a week off. John Nicholls had replaced Barassi as Carlton’s coach and decided on a bold strategy in the decider. He made eight positional changes, including placing himself at full-forward and handing Percy the daunting task of first ruck. Then he told the Blues to attack at all times and to ignore the inevitable defensive errors and turnovers.

The plan and the switches worked brilliantly, and Carlton won by 27 points in the highest-scoring Grand Final ever. Jones was superb all afternoon, rucking unchanged to dominate the Tigers’ big men, while Nicholls himself bagged six goals. If there had been a Norm Smith medal available that day, Percy would have won it. With his confidence boosted, ‘Perce’ was consistently good throughout 1973 and deservedly won the Blues’ Best & Fairest award. On the field, his exuberance was at its height. The Carlton faithful loved his antics while he drove the opposition to distraction.

On one famous occasion, he played on after a mark in the goal square. But as he tried to guide the ball on to his boot, he missed – and kicked the goal post! On another, he lit a firecracker in the Carlton Social Club while Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was watching a game – and terrified the PM’s minders. Late in his career, he was struggling to keep up in a pre-season training run when a tram appeared, and Perce hopped on board. He might have gotten away with it, too – except that Carlton’s fitness adviser at the time saw him get off!

Jones’ career culminated with the 1979 Premiership. By then aged almost 33 and somewhat in the shadow of future captain Mike Fitzpatrick, Perce responded to his captain-coach Alex Jesaulenko, who challenged the big bloke to show his doubters that he wasn’t a spent force. Perce gave his all that day; more than holding his own in the ruck as the Blues knocked over Collingwood by five points – thanks to some last-gasp brilliance by Wayne Harmes.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

Martin Cross

Career : 1961 – 1963
Debut : Round 1, 1961 vs St Kilda, aged 21 years, 178 days
Carlton Player No. 738
Games : 36
Goals : 36
Last Game: Round 13, 1963 vs St Kilda, aged 23 years, 288 days
Guernsey No. 23
Height : 175 cm (5 ft. 9 in.)
Weight : 72.5 kg (11 stone, 6 lbs.)
DOB : October 19, 1939

Martin Cross had a relatively short, but interesting career with Carlton in the early nineteen-sixties, during which he played in a couple of the most controversial matches in club history. A lightly-built, elusive rover from North Ballarat, he averaged a goal a game in his 36 appearances for the Blues, and was 20th man in the 1962 Grand Final. After leaving Princes Park, he returned to playing and coaching in the bush, and became an Ovens & Murray League legend.

Prior to joining Carlton, Cross played 96 senior games with North Ballarat, beginning in 1956 at the age of 17. Four years later he was invited to Princes Park, where he wore guernsey number 23 when he made his senior debut against St Kilda at the Junction Oval in the first round of the 1961 season. Also on debut that day were future club President Ian Collins, and another star full-forward for the Blues in Tom Carroll. Carlton recovered from a poor first quarter to beat the Saints by 10 points, with Carroll kicking the first five goals of his all-too-short career.

Martin featured often throughout his first year, and added to his value by being dangerous around the goals. After hauls of four majors in round 3 against Footscray, and three in round 8 against Richmond, he made the competition as a whole sit up and take notice when he booted eight goals to rout South Melbourne at Princes Park in round 15 – although even that super effort was overshadowed by the infamous clash between rival ruckmen John Nicholls of Carlton, and Ken Boyd of South Melbourne. Boyd king-hit Nicholls off the ball, and later admitted doing so to a newspaper reporter. He was charged by the VFL, found guilty, and never played at the top level again.

Cross found the going harder in his second year, when he was asked to play more often as a wingman or half-forward flanker, and his goal-kicking fell away. However, Carlton improved markedly from eighth place in 1961 to fourth in ‘62, and set themselves up for a tilt at another flag by edging out Melbourne in the first Semi Final. Martin warmed the bench in all four of Carlton’s finals matches – including our highly controversial victory over Geelong in the Preliminary Final replay, and the following week’s Grand Final clash against Essendon. Fit and well-rested, the Bombers won the 1962 flag by 62 points over the wrung-out Blues.

Carlton slipped down the ladder again in 1963, and by round 13 our chances of making the finals again were all but shot. Cross played only his fifth game of the season that afternoon, and no doubt trudged off the Junction Oval in a gloomy mood after St Kilda whipped a lethargic Carlton team by 41 points. Although he saw out the season at Princes Park, that game against the Saints turned out to be Martin’s last for Carlton – but he was far from finished with the game.

During the next 21 years, Cross played 160 games for Myrtleford Football Club and coached them to an Ovens & Murray League Premiership in 1970. Between 1972 and 1975 he coached the Dederang Bombers in the Tallangatta and District League, before returning to the O&MFL with North Albury.

He coached the Hoppers to a famous victory in the 1984 Grand Final against Wodonga, and lifted them back into another flag decider against Lavington two years later. On that occasion however, Lavington were far too good.

All up, Cross coached 378 home and away games, and 14 finals at his three clubs. The longest-serving coach in Ovens & Murray League history, he remains a household name in the Riverina.

Peter Brown

Career : 1976 – 1980
Debut: Round 12, 1976 v Collingwood
Carlton Player No. 860
Games : 35
Goals : 38
Last Game: Round 12, 1980 vs Collingwood
Guernsey No. 41
Height : 184cm
Weight : 85kg
DOB : 19 October, 1958
Premiership Player: 1979

Peter Brown was recruited to Carlton in 1976 as an 18 year-old from the tiny central Victorian town of Campbell’s Creek. At 184 cm and 85 kg, it was hoped he might develop into a key forward.

Browny found the going tough early in his career, then fortuitously struck his best form late in the 1979 season when he provided a real target at full forward. He held his place for the Grand Final, and justified his inclusion as Carlton beat Collingwood by 5 points.

His form tapered off again in 1980, so after 35 games and 38 goals in the number 41 guernsey for the Blues, Brown was cleared to St Kilda, where he managed another 20 games in two seasons. Peter Brown ended up being cleared to VFA club Coburg for the 1983 season, after a season with the Coburg Lions he was cleared to opposing VFA club Weribee for the 1984 season.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

Notice of Special General Meeting

 Notice is given that the Annual General Meeting of the Spirit Of Carlton Past And Present Inc is to be held as follows:

 

                Date:   7/11/2011

               Time:   5.30 pm

          Address:   Visy Park, Carlton Nth.

 

Please note, only paid up 2011 members are eligible to attend.

 

RSVP by 1/11/2011 and ENQUIRIES

 

Bob Lowrie

Phone: 0438 271 947

 

Email: rjlowrie@tpg.com.au

 

Dave McCulloch: Happy 74th Birthday!

Playing Career: 1960 – 1961
Debut: Round 1, 1960 v Richmond
Carlton Player No.: 730
Games: 17
Goals: 6
Last game: Round 11, 1961 v Geelong
Guernsey No. 3
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 92 kgs
DOB: October 12, 1937

McCulloch played 17 games for Carlton commencing in Season 1960, kicking 6 goals. He wore guernsey #3. McCulloch shared his debut with Des Lyons in Round 1 of his debut year.

Dave returned to the family farm at Glenthompson in Victoria, where he still lives and works today.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for the player bio.

Anthony Franchina

Career: 1997-2003 (On list until 2004)
Debut: Round 20, 1997 vs Geelong
1020th Carlton Player
Games: 105
Goals: 26
Last Game: Round 22, 2003 vs North Melbourne
Height: 176cm
Weight: 78kg
Guernsey No. 45
DOB: 11 October, 1977

Anthony Franchina, who wore #45 in over 100 games for the Navy Blues, was a 176cm tagger who was on the list between 1997 and 2004. A hard at it type, he was probably more famous for taking opponents out of the game than any possessions or goals he scored himself. But in the end, Franchina is probably satisfied with that, having racked up 100 games and as of 2007, being the only Blue to have his name on the #45 locker.

He was originally a ‘Supplementary List’ player for the Blues, before being drafted from that list in 1996. His original club was Newlands-Coburg, he had the unique ‘honour’ of playing for two TAC teams, the Preston Knights and the Calder Cannons. This may have occured when there was a realignment of boundaries after the Calder Cannons was entered into the TAC Cup competition.

Franchina will forever be linked to Saints great Nicky Winmar, who blew up at him in a game at the MCG in Round 20, 1998.

Franchina was a constant in the team from about 1999-2002, with 24 games in our oh-so-close performance in 2000, 17 in 2001 (restricted by foot and hamstring injuries at either end of the season, keeping him out of both finals) and 20 in our maiden wooden spoon year of 2002. Come 2003 and the introduction of Denis Pagan, Franchina would find his opportunities more limited, managing only 13 games, spending a lot of them on the bench and never managing double figure possessions, while playing a number of games in the VFL. In 2004 he didn’t play a senior game, playing most of the year in the VFL but also missing a number of weeks with a thumb injury. A dedicated trainer, Franchina was often seen in 2004 attempting to help out our Irish recruits after training.

Franchina was delisted at the end of 2004. He went on to play with North Ballarat in the VFL, before joining the Carlton affiliated Northern Bullants for Season 2006.

In 2007, Franchina – in conjunction with former Blues Corey McKernan and Justin Murphy – would feature in a little bit of football press once more when they were selected as the Carlton-linked on-ball grouping for Heidelberg in the Northern Football League (formerly known as the Diamond Valley FL). In 2009, he and Justin Murphy played together in a premiership with the Heidelberg FC.

Mark Porter

Career : 1997 – 2001
Debut : Round 16, 1997 vs Essendon, aged 20 years, 281 days
Carlton Player No. 1019
Games : 55
Goals : 13
Last Game : Semi Final, 2001 vs Richmond, aged 24 years, 339 days
Guernsey Nos. 46 (1997) and 11 (1998-2001)
Height : 199 cm (6 ft. 7 in.)
Weight : 101 kg (15 stone, 12 lbs.)
DOB : 11 October, 1976

A wearer of the number 11 guernsey, Mark Porter was called up from the rookie list to replace the suspended Matthew Allan against Essendon in Round 16, 1997 and made a magnificent debut – routing his more experienced opponents from the very first bounce. The 199 cm Porter was an old-fashioned, blue collar ruckman who gave his all for the team. His running to create space and his hard work around the ground – he made 45 tackles in 2001 – provided an insight into the type of effort big Mark put in each and every game.

For most of 1998, he and Allan formed an excellent ruck combination – but from then on, it was rare for them to play together for any length of time. Usually, this was because one or the other was injured. After 19 games in 1998, Porter missed more than a season and a half due to an ongoing knee injury. In fact, he didn’t make it back into the senior team until Allan himself hurt a knee in round 16, 2000, and was sidelined for six matches. In his absence, Porter stepped up to the role of number one ruckman, until the Blues’ twin towers were reunited for the last four games of the year.

In 2001, Porter played all but two games, while Allan was restricted to just eight appearances by a nagging series of foot and groin problems. Overall, the pair only made it on to the field together on seven occasions. At the end of that year, Carlton – desperate for a marking forward – stunned virtually everyone by trading the reliable Porter for Corey McKernan from the Kangaroos. It wasn’t a popular deal with the fans. Porter had won wide appreciation for his work ethic, and had battled hard to overcome injury. On top of that, Matthew Allan would play just 10 more games before he broke down again with foot problems. He was then traded to Essendon, and this left the Blues with severley depleted ruck stocks.

Porter went on to play three more honest seasons with the Roos, adding 55 games – the same number he had played at Carlton – before being delisted.

Carlton recruited Porter from VFA club Coburg, he had originally played for Wangaratta and King Valley.

Ian Herman

Career : 1987 – 1991
Debut : Round 11, 1987 vs Melbourne, aged 21 years, 239 days
Carlton Player No. 947
Games : 48
Goals : 39
Last Game : Round 8, 1991 vs Hawthorn, aged 25 years, 211 days
Guernsey No. 25
Height : 183 cm (6 ft. 0 in.)
Weight : 78 kg (12 stone, 4 lbs.)
DOB : 11 October, 1965

As a footballer, Ian Herman was something of an enigma – a classy, elegant 183 cm half-forward or ruck-rover who never quite reached the heights his ability offered, because throughout his time at Princes Park he was as dedicated to building a business career as he was to his football. Recruited by Carlton as a 21 year-old from amateur side Collegians, he played 48 games and kicked 38 goals in five seasons between 1987 and 1991.

Herman had originally played at junior level with both St Kilda and Hawthorn. In 1980, at the age of 15, he landed a place in the Saints’ junior development squad that toured Tasmania as a promotional activity for the club. Other members of the squad included Tony Lockett, David Grant and Rod Owen. Even so, Herman later refused an invitation to join St Kilda’s Under 19’s, because he was convinced that too many promising young footballers played two years with the thirds and then just disappeared – and he was in no hurry to do the same. Instead, he concentrated on his accountancy studies, and his school football with Haileybury College.

However, just around the corner from Ian’s home lived Hawthorn stalwart Russell Greene. The pair often talked football, and Greene eventually talked Herman into turning up at Glenferrie Oval for successive pre-season trials. Following the second of these, Hawks coach Allan Jeans drew Herman aside to tell him that he hadn’t made the final list because it was believed he was carrying stress fractures in his feet. This wasn’t the case, but once again, Herman was undeterred. He headed back to Collegians, and resumed playing in the shadow of his flamboyant and equally talented older brother Richard.

Ian’s story then took another twist when Haileybury coach Ken Phillips – who was an ex-South Melbourne player – met Carlton’s Secretary Ian Collins at a social function and told him that Collegians had a couple of youngsters in their side who showed real potential. As fate would have it, Richard Herman decided to retire from football to concentrate on cricket before ‘Collo’ was able to check out Phillips’ tip, and when he did, it was Ian who caught his eye.

Collins promptly invited Herman to Princes Park for pre-season training over the summer of 1986-87. By then, Ian had completed his studies and joined the prominent share broking firm of Grant Thornton – a world-wide financial giant with offices in more than 50 countries. Happily, Blues coach Robert Walls was very supportive when Herman explained that at times his profession would have to take precedence over his football, and the Blues were so impressed by his skill level that he was honoured with the number 25 guernsey previously worn by Alex Jesaulenko and Frank Marchesani.

In his debut season of 1987, Herman was eased into a talent-laden Carlton side that was on the verge of an emphatic 16th Premiership. He had his first taste of senior football in round 11 at the MCG, when he came off the bench late in the game, and experienced the additional thrill of kicking his first career goal as the rampant Blues destroyed the home side by 45 points. He played the next two games on a wing with the seniors, then returned to the seconds and celebrated his first year at Carlton as a member of the victorious Reserves Premiership team in September.

In 1988, Herman established himself in the senior side and played 17 matches, including three finals that culminated in a bitterly disappointing loss to Melbourne in the Preliminary Final. On the way to that finals campaign, he provided a season highlight for Blues fans when he saved his team from an embarrassing defeat by the lowly Brisbane Bears in round 21 at Carrara Stadium. With only seconds left on the clock, he swooped on the ball as it spilled from a pack, and snapped a brilliant goal from a long way out. Carlton won by three points.

Herman had another consistent season in 1989, although the Carlton Football Club as a whole was wracked by dissension on and off the field. Alex Jesaulenko returned as senior coach in the wake of Robert Walls’ sacking, but the team tumbled down the ladder and finished eighth. From then on, under Jesaulenko’s relentless discipline, Herman struggled to balance his business and football aspirations. His form tailed off, and he managed only seven games in 1990. By the end of that year, was thinking seriously about his football future.

Although Jesaulenko finished up in 1990 to be replaced by David Parkin in his second appointment as Carlton’s senior coach, Herman played only another three matches in 1991, and therefore decided that he would be happier and more useful at another club. Richmond then picked him up in the 1992 mid-year draft, and Herman became a Tiger in 14 games over two seasons. After that, he moved on to VFA heavyweights Sandringham, where he rounded off his football career by playing another 39 games, including the Zebra’s 1994 Grand Final triumph over Box Hill.

In the years since he hung up his boots for the last time, Ian Herman has gone on to conspicuous commercial success. As at 2011, he has risen through the ranks to become the Australian Managing Director of Grant Thornton, which has continued to expand and now has branches in over 100 countries.

He has no regrets about where the two main pathways of his life have taken him, and still retains a deep affection for the Carlton Football Club. “I was lucky I played a handful of games with a great team at its peak,” he has said. “My plan was to get the best out of myself in both football and business.”

Still an enthusiastic and long-standing member of the club, Ian has become a mentor and friend to promising 2007 draftee David Ellard.

Incidentally, Ian’s brother Richard – who was indirectly responsible for his recruitment by the Blues – went on to have a glittering career in district cricket for the Melbourne Cricket Club.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

Digby Morrell

Career: 2004-2005
Debut: Round 1, 2004 vs Fremantle
1074th Carlton Player
Games: 32
Goals: 12
Last Game: Round 22, 2005 vs Kangaroos
Guernsey No. 3
Height: 191cm
Weight: 97kg
DOB: 10 October, 1979

Digby “Diggers” Morrell was traded to Carlton by the Kangaroos at the end of the 2003 season, together with David Teague, for ex-Roo Corey McKernan who had just spent 2 years on the Carlton list.

Morrell’s career at the Blues would echo that of Brett Johnson, who also was traded to Carlton in 2003 and also played 32 games for the Blues over 2004-2005. Morrell was a different type of player, a marking forward / defender with a clever touch to his game. At 191cm though, he was always going to be a third forward or defender, never quite key position height, despite his strong marking ability 1 on 1.

Given our struggling defence in the time period, with key position youngsters Livingston, Thornton and Norman all given a tough run at spots in the seniors given how much time the ball spent in our defensive 50, Morrell was often thrown back to assist. At times he was useful, others, much like the other defenders, he was soundly beaten.

On occasion it was as a third or fourth forward that Morrell would shine. However, 4.6 from 21 games in 2004 and 8.7 from 11 games in 2005 highlights his potential but also how much time he spent in defence.

Given the #3 guernsey, Morrell was a popular player at Carlton / Bullants and like Johnson, was a game winner at the lower levels. Unfortunately for Morrell, these performances did not translate to the highest level of the AFL.

He maintained his connection with Carlton following his delisting, both by playing at its VFL affiliate the Northern Bullants, where he helped mentor Carlton’s youngsters and as MC at various Club functions (where his use and support of the Blueseum is noted and appreciated). At the Bullants, in 2006 he was the Northern Bullants leading goal scorer with 53 goals and finished 2nd in their Best and Fairest Award. Morrell spent the 2008 season at rival VFL club Box Hill Hawks before heading of to local Essendon District Football League Club Strathmore for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Morrell was originally recruited from West Perth, WA.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player bio and pic.

Des English

 Career : 1980 – 1987
Debut : Round 4, 1980 v South Melbourne
Carlton Player No. 884
Games : 104
Goals : 6
Last game: Grand Final, 1986 v Hawthorn
Guernsey No. 27
Height : 178 cm
Weight : 86 kg
DOB : October 9, 1957
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.

Carlton finished the 1980 home and away season in second place, but lost both finals matches in successive weeks. It was a bitterly disappointing end to a bad year for the Blues, only compensated by the belief that this team was much better than its results might indicate. The Blues knew that they had the talent and the drive to win another Premiership – all they needed was the opportunity.

Under new coach David Parkin, that opportunity wasn’t long in coming. Carlton played brilliantly all season in 1981, topping the home and away ladder on percentage over Collingwood, then going on to beat the Magpies by 20 points on Grand Final day. The Blues’ defence, boasting the names Doull, Hunter, McKay, Harmes and Perovic, was topped off with the emergence of Des English. At 178 cm and 88 kg, Des was solid enough to handle any physical pressure, and tall enough to fill a variety of defensive roles. An safe mark, cool under pressure and an accurate disposer of the ball, he won new fans each week with his rock-solid consistency.

In 1982 he won his second Premiership medal when Carlton triumphed again over their other traditional rival, Richmond. The free-scoring Tigers started warm favourites in that year’s decider, but with captain Mike Fitzpatrick supreme in the ruck, and Bruce Doull impassable at half-back, The Blues won their fourteenth flag by 18 points. Two Premierships in his first three seasons was a dream come true for English. The 26 year-old was in the best form of his life, and a fixture in one of the great football teams.

Rod Galt: Happy 60th Birthday!

Career : 1975 –1979
Debut : Round 17, 1975 vs Hawthorn, aged 23 years, 290 days
Carlton Player No. 855
Games : 46
Goals : 100
Last Game: Round 21, 1979 vs Collingwood, aged 27 years, 320 days
Guernsey No. 17
Height : 194 cm (6 ft. 4½ in.)
Weight : 92 kg (14 stone, 7 lbs.)
DOB : October 9, 1951
Leading Goalkicker: 1978

Rod “Spook” Galt was an athletic, talented ruckman-forward who was recruited by Carlton from St. Kilda in 1975. Although he ended up playing a combined total of 123 games with the Blues and the Saints, it must be said that he was never the most committed individual at either club, and his somewhat lackadaisical attitude caused frustration throughout his career. But if Galt’s football journey was not particularly rewarding, it was certainly varied.

Nicknamed “The Ghost” or “Spook” because of his slim build, pale complexion and shock of white-blonde hair, Galt was recruited by St Kilda from bayside Beaumaris in 1971. He was a minor sensation in his first season, and after an impressive finals series in which St Kilda fought their way right through to the Grand Final (only to fall to Hawthorn by 7 points) one newspaper dubbed him “the new Carl Ditterich.”

However, the inconsistency that would plague his career soon appeared, and by the end of 1974 the Saints had had enough. They kept him on their list, but sent him to play in Darwin for the first few months of 1975 while they decided his future. When he was recalled mid-year, he was informed that his contract had been purchased by Carlton, and from that point on he was a Blue.

Wearing the number 17 guernsey recently discarded by Brent Crosswell on his way to North Melbourne, Galt played his first senior match for his new club against Hawthorn at Princes Park in round 17, 1975 – a cracker of a contest that Carlton lost by just 4 points. Despite that narrow margin, Galt was left out of the team the following week, and spent the rest of the year with the Reserves.

He began 1976 impressively; booting three goals and rucking strongly in Carlton’s big win over Collingwood at Princes Park in round 1. Another five matches in a row followed, before he was omitted again and managed just one more senior appearance by year’s end. In 1977 he fared little better. After playing three of the first six games, he was sent back to the seconds again and his future with the Blues looked bleak – until another chain of events began in June of that year, when he and three other senior-listed Blues were briefly “loaned” to a struggling Bendigo League club for one match.

The team concerned was Kennington, who hadn’t won a game all year. On the brink of disbanding, they were about to face the undefeated ladder-leaders Eaglehawk and were praying for a miracle. At the time the Bendigo area was Carlton’s prime recruitment zone, so the Carlton committee decided to give Kennington a hand by strengthening them with four senior-listed Blues for the match. Rod Galt, Gary Conn, Peter Halsall and Lou Chiodo all duly played in the game, but Eaglehawk still won easily.
After that, Galt was on the move again – this time to Western Suburbs in Sydney, where his presence was more telling. He settled into life in the Harbour City, rediscovered his best form, and topped off a memorable few months by dominating the Grand Final. Western Suburbs kicked 14.15 to North Shore’s 5.2 in the second half of that Premiership decider, with Galt clearly best on ground in leading his team to a comprehensive victory.

Perhaps it was that performance that saved his VFL career, or maybe an ultimatum was put to him by the Blues. Whatever it was that transpired over the summer of 1977-78, it certainly worked – because “Spook’ re-emerged as a league footballer and had by far his best season. Playing as an almost permanent forward pocket, his height and aerial skills were tough to counter, and his accuracy in kicking for goal was deadly. In a purple patch of form between rounds 9 and 12, 1978, Galt kicked three bags of six goals each, as Carlton bounced back from a poor year in ’77 to once again qualify for the finals in fourth spot on the ladder.

Enjoying his first VFL final since leaving St Kilda, Spook booted three goals in the Blues’ good win over Geelong in the ‘78 Elimination Final, and notched another three the following week when Carlton’s season concluded with a loss to Collingwood in the first Semi. In the process, he finished the year with an aggregate of 49 majors to take out Carlton’s Leading Goal-kicker award, and paved the way for a shift to full-forward the following year.

Dick Vandenberg

Career : 1966
Debut : Round 13, 1966 vs St Kilda, aged 18 years, 287 days
Carlton Player No. 788
Games : 3
Goals : 2
Guernsey No. 8
Last Game: Round 15, 1966 vs Essendon, aged 18 years, 301 days
Height : 183 cm (6 ft. 0 in.)
Weight : 80 kg (12 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : October 9, 1947

Richard ‘Dick’ Vandenberg played three consecutive games and kicked 2 goals for Carlton in 1966. A tall rover-forward, he was recruited from Robinvale, and allocated guernsey number 8 in the second year of Ron Barassi’s tenure as captain-coach of the Blues.

After making a good impression at Reserves level through the first half of the season, Vandenberg was given his chance with the senior side in round 13, 1966 when seventh-placed Carlton hosted second-placed St Kilda at Princes Park. That day – not for the first time – the Blues caused quite a boilover in beating the Saints by 16 points.

It was a magical occasion for the 18 year-old Vandenberg, who years later was to say; “How well I remember it. They had Baldock at centre half-forward, Stewart in the centre, Murray at full-back, Synman at centre half-back and Ditterich in the ruck. We had a bloke called John Nicholls – who beat the lot of them.” *

Vandenberg shared the roving duties with Adrian Gallagher – who capitalized on Nicholls’ dominance and was almost as influential. The following week, Gallagher and Vandenberg combined again in Carlton’s emphatic win over Fitzroy, and they were together for a third time against Essendon at Windy Hill in round 15, when the Blues were brought crashing back to earth by a 7-goal defeat.

Vandenberg was one of the casualties from that defeat, and he spent the remainder of the season with the Reserves – before being told that his services were no longer required. He headed back home to northern Victoria, and over the succeeding years built a successful business as a chartered accountant, based in Swan Hill.

Some 30 years later, the Vandenberg name was seen again at Carlton when one of Dick’s distant cousins – the similarly-named Richard Vandenberg, trialled briefly at Reserves level in 1997. Richie was not picked up by the Blues, so he moved to Hawthorn, where he had a celebrated career of 145 games, and captained the club.

Robert Dutton

Career : 1981
Only Game : Round 7, 1981 vs Melbourne
Carlton Player No. 893
Goals : 0
Guernsey No. 17
Height : 192 cm
Weight : 89 kg
DOB : October 9, 1957

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.

Now operates a successful Food Service Distribution Business in Launceston.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

Stephen Kenna

Career: 2004
Debut: Round 1, 2004 vs Fremantle
1073rd Carlton Player
Games: 5
Goals: 3
Guernsey No. 17
Last Game: Round 8, 2004 vs Brisbane
Height: 170cm
Weight: 69kg
DOB: 8 October, 1981

Steve Kenna was picked with selection 75, our last, in the 2003 National Draft. A pint sized forward, Kenna was a Queenslander who had been playing in the VFL with the Box Hill Hawks and performed well.

Kenna was recruited from Morningside, was a Brisbane Lion Rookie for a while and played at Mt Gravatt prior to heading to the Box Hill Hawks.

Lasting only a season at Carlton, Kenna played 5 games- the first 4 and then just one further game in Round 8, kicking 3 goals. Blessed with seemingly very fast pace, Kenna just couldn’t quite crack it at AFL level despite the need for a real rover / forward pocket at Carlton, never managing more than 8 possessions in any game. At 170cms, perhaps his tiny legs were just pumping so fast that he appeared to be a speedster? It’s not as simple as that – at VFL level Kenna remained a strong performer, but this was not enough to see him on the list for a second season.

Kenna wore the number 17.

He went on to play for South Adelaide in the SANFL and was runner up in the Magarey Medal in 2006, behind fellow ex-Blue Brett Backwell.

Steve Kenna’s grandfather, Ted Kenna won a Victoria Cross Medal during World War II.

Eric Pascoe

Career : 1972 – 1976
Debut : Round 6, 1972 vs Geelong, aged 18 years, 210 days
Carlton Player No. 836
Games : 32
Goals : 7
Last Game: Round 14, 1976 vs Melbourne, aged 22 years, 268 days
Guernsey Nos. 13 (1972 –75), 44 (1976)
Height : 191 cm (6 ft. 3 in.)
Weight : 91 kg (14 stone, 3 lbs)
DOB : October 8, 1953

When 18 year-old Eric Pascoe arrived at Princes Park in the early 1970’s many Blues supporters were convinced we had another star in the making. At 191 cm and 91 kg, the powerfully-built blonde ruckman was recruited from the Northern United Football Club in Bendigo – another product of Carlton’s lucrative central Victorian recruiting zone.

Carlton intended that Pascoe be groomed as an understudy to the Blues’ regular ruckmen John Nicholls and Peter Jones, to ensure that there was always a capable alternative on hand. In fact, the club kept faith with Eric for five seasons, but he was never able to properly seize the opportunities offered by a very strong team.

In the absence of ‘Percy’ Jones, Pascoe made his senior debut for the Blues against Geelong in round 6, 1972 at Princes Park; a match perhaps better remembered as the debut game for future Premiership defender Rod Austin. Wearing guernsey number 13 (which was to bring him no luck at all) Pascoe shared the ruck duties with his captain-coach Nicholls, and kicked his first career goal as Carlton destroyed the Cats by 49 points. Although it was a handy effort first up, Jones was an automatic inclusion the following week, and Pascoe didn’t play for the seniors again until the next season.

In 1973 he managed another seven matches, and his development seemed to be on track when he won Carlton’s Reserves Best and Fairest award. The problem was that Nicholls and Jones were still playing very good football. Late in that season, Pascoe was tried as a key forward, but pace proved a problem. First and foremost, Eric was a tap ruckman.

Eventually, the opportunity Pascoe had been waiting for arrived when John Nicholls retired in 1974. However, the club had not been idle on the recruiting front. While Eric looked forward to the chance to fill ‘Big Nick’s’ boots, Carlton announced the arrival of boom WA ruckman Mike Fitzpatrick. ‘Fitzy’ was a star from his first game for the Blues, and suddenly, Pascoe was relegated to a back-up role again.

In 1976, a new coach in Ian Thorogood and a new guernsey number (44) lifted Pascoe’s hopes. He sat on the bench as 19th man for the first two matches of the year, but was soon back to kicking the dew off the grass with the Reserves. Around that time – with Carlton’s approval – he was approached by Tasmanian club Clarence, who wanted him as their captain-coach for the following year.

After some thought, Pascoe accepted Clarence’s offer, and Carlton didn’t stand in his way when he asked for a clearance. He played his last match in navy blue off the bench against Melbourne at Waverley Park in July, 1976, on a blustery afternoon when the Demons had one more scoring shot than the Blues, yet lost by 57 points; 6.22 (58) to 18.7 (115).

Eric took over at Clarence in 1977, and spent two years at the helm, guiding the Tassie Kangaroos to sixth and fifth place respectively.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for playwr pics and bios.

Rohan Welsh

Career : 1992-1997
Debut : Round 5, 1992 vs Sydney
982nd Carlton Player
Games : 42
Goals : 59
Last Game : Round 12, 1997 vs St Kilda
Guernsey Nos. 38 (1992-96), 3 (1997)
Height : 192 cm
Weight : 94 kg
DOB : 7 October, 1970

Rohan ‘Woosher’ Welsh was a handy forward with plenty of football experience by the time he arrived at Princes Park in the summer of 1991-92. Picked up by Carlton at number 33 in that year’s pre-season draft, Welsh had been a schoolboy star at St Bernard’s College before spending two years with Essendon’s Under-19’s, and another two on the Bombers’ senior list, without managing a senior game.

Woosher had been released by Essendon in 1990. He crossed to VFA club Dandenong, where he quickly found a niche at full-forward. His tally of 84 goals in ‘91 won him the competition’s goal-kicking award, as well as playing in their premiership team that season, and not long afterward, a second-chance invitation to join the Blues. He was drafted with fellow Dandenong premiership teammate Paul McCormack.

Wearing guernsey number 38, 22 year-old Welsh played his first match for Carlton in April, 1992 against Sydney at Princes Park. Blues’ coach David Parkin experimented with his forward set-up that afternoon, placing Welsh and Earl Spalding in the key forward posts, and captain Stephen Kernahan in a pocket. Although ‘Sticks’ Kernahan booted four goals and Welsh two, the ploy was not a success and Sydney won by 21 points.

Carlton ended up seventh in ’92 while Welsh – who would occasionally be seen in the ruck – did enough to encourage himself and his new club. His 28 goals in 14 games were followed up by another 22 goals in 16 matches in 1993. In fact, Welsh had become our top goal kicker in Guernsey #38 with 50! Carlton finished second to Essendon after the home and away rounds that season, battling their way through to meet the Bombers again in the Grand Final. But weakened by some crucial injuries, the Blues were swamped by a switched-on Essendon team that took the flag by 44 points.

Welsh came off the interchange bench in all three of Carlton’s finals games in ‘93 and looked forward to further improvement – until the club’s end-of-season trip brought disaster. While skylarking with a couple of team-mates one night, Woosher apparently fell off (or over) a fence, damaging a knee so severely that it kept him out of senior football for two seasons.

Carlton retained him on the playing list throughout his long recuperation, which finally ended when Welsh – who had switched guernseys to number 3 – played three mid-season matches off the bench in 1997. Unfortunately he couldn’t do enough with those opportunities, and was delisted at the end of the year.

After bidding farewell to the Blues, Woosher was cleared to VFA club Frankston. He spent two seasons as a key forward with the Dolphins (coached by 1987 Carlton Premiership hero, David Rhys-Jones) then hung up his boots for the last time in 2000 to begin a notable coaching career in his own right.

From 2002 to 2004, Welsh was assistant coach of the Calder Cannons in the elite TAC Cup Under 18 competition. Encouraged by the Cannon’s head coach (and TAC Cup legend) Robert Hyde, Woosha won the position of coach of the Oakleigh Chargers in 2005, and proved his capabilities in the best possible way the following year.

The Chargers won the TAC Cup Premiership in 2006, and Rohan Welsh was honoured with the Coach of the Year award. As the 2007 season looms, he seems destined for further success.

In 2008, AFL Victoria appointed Rohan Welsh as its new Victoria Metro Under-18 Academy Head Coach. Welsh recently completed four successful years with the Oakleigh Chargers FC, as the Head Coach, and had been an assistant coach at Calder Cannons. Rohan will replace another Ex Blue in David Dickson in this role, whose tenure spanned 12 successful years.

Rohan is the son of ex Essendon player John Welsh who played 9 games for Essendon between 1961 and 1963.

 

Thanks to the Bluesuem for player Pic and Bio.

Roger Hoggett

Career : 1964 – 1965
Debut : Round 11, 1964 vs Geelong, aged 21 years, 272 days
Carlton Player No. 766
Games : 12
Goals : 0
Last Game : Round 11, 1965 vs St Kilda, aged 22 years, 271 days
Guernsey No. 36
Height : 178 cm (5 ft. 10 in.)
Weight : 82.5 kgs (13 stone, 0 lbs.)
DOB : October 5, 1942

Recruited from Longford, Tasmania in 1964, Roger Hoggett was a capable centreman who played 12 senior games for Carlton in successive seasons, and was voted our Reserves Best and Fairest in his debut year.

After impressing in his first half-dozen games in the lower grade, Hoggett was selected to make his senior debut as 20th man in Carlton’s clash with Geelong in round 11, 1964. Wearing guernsey number 36, Roger got just the briefest of runs in the last few minutes against the Cats, and was omitted the next week. He returned to play in rounds 13 and 14 against Hawthorn and Melbourne respectively, but from then on, spent the remainder of the year with the seconds. There, his influence around the middle of the ground won him the Best and Fairest, and kept him firmly in the selectors’ sights.

During the 1964 off-season, Princes Park was at the centre of one of the most sensational episodes in VFL history, when a boardroom coup installed the rambunctious George Harris as the 21st President of the Carlton Football Club. Harris immediately created a storm by convincing Melbourne champion Ron Barassi to take on the role of captain-coach of the Blues. Barassi accepted, and hit the ground running. Over the summer months, Hoggett and the rest of Carlton’s list was put through a searching pre-season.

Quite early on, Barassi decided that Ian Collins was his preferred centreman, and told Hoggett that he could make the back pocket his domain if he wanted it bad enough. However, after the first six matches of 1965 Barassi had a rethink, and in round 7 he switched Collins to the last line of defence against Essendon. Collins’ tenacity and dash was instrumental in a surprise win by the Blues, and from that afternoon on, Hoggett’s place in the side was tenuous at best.

In round 11, Carlton met St Kilda for the first time at Moorabbin. It was a tense, even contest all afternoon between two of the top four sides, and scores were level with just a minute or two to play. It was then that former Blue Bruce McMaster-Smith snapped a clever goal, and pinched the win for the Saints. Hoggett was one of five Blues omitted from the seniors after that loss, and he wasn’t able to reclaim his place before season’s end. Shortly afterwards, he was told that his services were no longer required.

Three years after leaving Princes Park, Hoggett was appointed captain-coach of NSW powerhouse Western Suburbs, and led the Magpies to a Premiership in his first season.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pic and bio.

Congratulations to Mitch Robinson and Kade Simpson, joint winners of the 2011 Spirit of Carlton encouragement award. Also congratulations to all the other winners on the night, especially to Marc Murphy for winning his first John Nicholls medal ahead of Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs.

Barry Mulcair

Career : 1970 – 1971
Debut : Round 13, 1970 vs Geelong, aged 21 years, 268 days
Carlton Player No. 824
Games : 20
Goals : 0
Last Game: Round 22, 1971 vs Collingwood, aged 22 years, 230 days
Guernsey No. 35
Height : 185 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 86 kg (13 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : October 1, 1948
Premiership Player 1970

Some men, it is said, are born to greatness; while others have greatness thrust upon them. In a football sense, it is hard to deny that Barry Mulcair’s career at Carlton fitted squarely into the latter category. At first a reluctant recruit for the Blues, he changed his mind at precisely the right time, and etched his name into club history when he was a member of Carlton’s celebrated 1970 Premiership team in just his thirteenth senior game.

By the time the 1970 VFL season began, Carlton had been trying to recruit Mulcair from his hometown club South Bendigo for months. A defender with excellent judgement, good all-round skills and a cool head under pressure, he eventually agreed to terms and arrived at Princes Park midway through the year. Then, after only two shakedown games with the Reserves, he was thrust straight into the big time when he lined up on a half-back flank against Geelong at Princes Park in round 13 of that year.

Wearing guernsey number 35 and playing alongside John Goold (in his 100th match for Carlton ) Mulcair delighted the match committee by showing poise and good concentration as the fifth-placed Blues accounted for the second-placed Cats by 13 points. From there, Carlton steadily improved through the second half of the season. When the finals rolled around, the Baggers had displaced Geelong from second spot on the ladder, and were poised to challenge the front-runners Collingwood.

Mulcair breezed through his baptism of fire in the finals with further aplomb, despite an incident in Carlton’s big Preliminary Final victory over St Kilda when he and his team-mate Bryan Quirk collided, and Quirk dislocated his shoulder. Barry recovered and played on, but Quirk left the field and was soon ruled out of the following week’s Grand Final against the Magpies, who were raging-hot favourites for the flag.

Every Carlton fan knows that the Blues won the unwinnable Grand Final in 1970, storming back into the contest from 44 points down at half-time to skittle Collingwood by ten points. Mulcair’s game on that incredible Saturday afternoon mirrored most of his team-mates. His opponent, Con Britt, had the better of him early, but Barry stuck to his task and kept the dangerous Magpie under a tight rein after half time.

One of Carlton’s real heroes that day was rover Ted Hopkins, who was called onto the ground after half-time, and sparked the Blues incredible revival with four telling goals. Surprisingly, Ted retired after just one more game in 1971 – believing that he had achieved all that he could have hoped for as far as football went. Later that same year, Mulcair was to follow suit.

Barry played the first six matches of 1971, before his form tapered off, and he was sent back to the Reserves while Carlton endured a quite understandable Premiership hangover. He was eventually recalled for one final game – the 20th of his career – in the last round of the home and away season, against Collingwood at Princes Park. Still basking in the afterglow of the previous year, the confident Blues did it yet again on that late-winter Saturday afternoon – recovering from 20 points down at three-quarter time to beat the finals-bound Magpies by 19 points.

Along with Mulcair, three other notable Blues in Sergio Silvagni, Ian Collins and ex-Richmond star Bill Barrot also finished their VFL careers on that same day. Despite that loss of class and experience however, a resurgent Carlton side collected yet another flag in 1972. By then, Mulcair was back at South Bendigo, where he continued to play and coach for the next decade.

In 1988, Barry’s son Christian was recruited by Carlton from Bendigo’s Marist Brothers College under the father/son rule. A strapping 196 cm ruckman, Chris played a dozen Reserves games without achieving senior selection.

Damien Lock

Career: 1998-1999 (Listed Player: 1997-1999)
Debut: Round 1, 1998 vs Adelaide
1023rd Carlton Player
Games: 18
Goals: Nil
Guernsey No. 17
Last Game: Round 15, 1999 vs Adelaide
Height: 179cm
Weight: 77kg
DOB: 1 October, 1978

Taken with Pick 52 in the 1996 National Draft, Lock was a left-footed midfielder who played 18 games with the Blues – 14 in 1998 and another 4 in 1999. Not blessed with great pace, Lock was given a few opportunities to make it in the Blues midfield as replacements were sought for the retiring Greg Williams and others, in the wake of our decline post the 1995 Premiership.

He had as many as 24 disposals in Round 9, 1998 but struggled from then on – only once obtaining double figures. He was troubled by injuries – a groin complaint ending his 1998 season early, while a kidney injury delayed his start to 1999. He was not retained on the list after 1999.

Lock, who wore number 17, was originally from Bendigo Pioneers, his junior club being Eaglehawk. Lock was used as a top-up player for the Blues reserves team in 1996 wearing No.56.

In 2000, Damien Lock headed off to play with VFL club Coburg-Fitzroy with ex-Blues teammates Matthew Hogg and Damian Lang. In 2001, Lock headed back to Bendigo to play with the VFL team The Bendigo Diggers.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

In the latest of our videos from the recent Spirit of Carlton luncheon celebrating the 1981 Premiership we present the keynote speech from the coach of that flag, David Parkin.

Greg Williams

Career : 1992 – 1997
Debut (Carlton): Round 7, 1992 vs Footscray, aged 28 years, 216 days
Carlton Player No. 983
Games : 109 (Carlton), 250 (career)
Goals : 89
Last Game: Round 16, 1997 vs Essendon, aged 33 years, 293 days
Guernsey No : 2
Height : 175 cm (5 ft. 9 in.)
Weight : 86 kg (13 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : 30 September, 1963
Premiership Player 1995
Norm Smith Medal 1995
Brownlow Medal 1994 (Also 1986 at the Swans)
Robert Reynolds Memorial Trophy –Best and Fairest Award: 1994
All Australian: 1993(vc), 1994(c)
Herald Sun Player of the Year: 1993, 1994
Leigh Matthew Trophy AFLPA MVP Award: 1994
Team of the Century: Centre
AFL Team of the Century
Carlton Hall of Fame (Inducted 1999)
AFL Hall of Fame (Inducted 2001)

One of the most brilliant and controversial players of all time, Greg “Diesel” Williams was twice rejected by Carlton as a youngster because he lacked natural leg speed. Nevertheless, he went on to carve his name into AFL history as a champion centreman at Geelong and Sydney, before returning to Princes Park and Premiership glory with the Blues. For sheer ball-getting ability, tenacity, and pin-point disposal by hand or by foot, Diesel Williams had few peers.

While growing up in suburban Ascot Vale, Williams was forced to wear callipers on both legs to correct a condition that made him severely ‘knock-kneed’, and he was never renowned for his speed on the playing field. But at the age of 10, he and his family moved to Bendigo, where the sports-mad youngster turned up looking for a game at Golden Square, and began a football journey that most youngsters dream about.

In 1980, aged 16, Williams was selected in the Victorian Teal Cup (Under 17) squad. This led to an invitation from Carlton to join in pre-season training in 1982. But Greg’s sojourn in Melbourne turned into a disaster. Homesick, and unable to cope with the intense competition for places – even in intra-club practice matches – he was soon informed by letter that Carlton no longer required his attendance.

While deeply disappointed by his failure to cope with the pressures of league football, Williams was still convinced that he was good enough to make the grade. He went back to Golden Square, where he had a dominant year in the centre for the Bulldogs, and won the Bendigo League Best and Fairest award by a record margin. When this was pointed out to Carlton, the club promptly reconsidered, and asked him back again for the 1983 pre-season.

But as before, all the Blues training staff could see was a short, somewhat pudgy individual, who trailed off in every time trial. He was tried as a half-forward flanker, not in the pivot, and while some were impressed with his instinctive, accurate hand-passing, and his neat foot skills off both sides of his body – it was generally agreed that there was really no place for Greg in the powerful Carlton side. For the second year running, he packed his bags and went home to Bendigo.

That second rejection could have crushed Williams’ spirit – instead it ignited his determination to prove the bastards wrong. He dedicated himself to training harder and longer than ever, and in September, won the BFL Best and Fairest award for the second year running. Golden Square then met Sandhurst in the ’83 Grand Final, and lost a torrid match by one kick. Best on Ground in the centre for the Bulldogs was 20 year-old Greg Williams, and watching on from the grandstand were two officials from the Geelong Football Club.

Trevor Fletcher

Career : 1976 – 1977
Debut : Round 17, 1976 vs Hawthorn, aged 22 years, 297 days
Carlton Player No. 861
Games : 4
Goals : 0
Last Game : Round 3, 1977 vs St Kilda, aged 23 years, 198 days
Guernsey No. 33
Height : 192 cm (6 ft. 3 in.)
Weight : 89 kg (14 stone, 0 lbs.)
DOB : 30 September, 1953

Another product of the Bendigo Football League – Carlton’s central Victorian recruiting zone prior to 1985 – Trevor Fletcher played four senior games (all off the bench) in a brief stay at Princes Park in 1976-77. Afterwards, the 192 cm ruckman-defender enjoyed a varied on-field career before turning his hand to coaching. He guided Bairnsdale to a famous Latrobe Valley League Premiership in 1981, and later, took charge of Footscray’s Under 19 squad.

Fletcher began his football journey in his home town of Charlton in northern Victoria, but it was his role in South Bendigo’s 1974 BFL Premiership that really sparked Carlton’s interest. Having agreed to terms with the Blues, he crossed to Princes Park in 1976 and took over the number 33 guernsey previously worn by another Bendigo boy; 1972 Premiership defender Paul Hurst.

Some eye-catching efforts in the ruck with Carlton Reserves ensued, before Fletcher was eventually called into the senior team for round 17, 1976, when the co-tenants of Princes Park – second-placed Carlton, and ladder-leaders Hawthorn – clashed in the match of the day. Sharing the reserves bench with Graeme Whitnall on that Saturday afternoon, Fletcher made it on to the field late in the game to become Carlton’s sixth debutant of the year after Kevin Heath, Tony Pickett, Leigh McConnon, Jim Buckley and Peter Brown. The switched-on Blues were up for the contest, and upset the Hawks by 31 points.

Twice more over the following weeks – in rounds 19 and 22 – Fletcher watched the first bounce from the bench while the Blues kept on winning. Having snatched the minor premiership from the Hawks, Carlton shaped up for the finals with confidence, but Hawthorn turned the tables in a slogging Semi Final in the wet at Waverley. Then a week later at the same venue, North Melbourne inflicted a coup de grace to Carlton’s season – edging out the Blues by a single, heart-breaking point in the Preliminary Final.

Having missed out on a place in both of Carlton’s finals line-ups, but encouraged by winning the club’s Reserves Best and Fairest, Fletcher saddled up for his second season in 1977, and was named as 19th man for his fourth game when Carlton met St Kilda at Princes Park in round 3. Although the Saints had first use of a strong breeze blowing straight down the ground, they didn’t make the most of it. The Blues did, piling on 8 goals in the second term and another 12 after half-time, to smash their visitors by 107 points. Flamboyant ruckman ‘Percy’ Jones was a star for the Blues, before leaving the ground in the last quarter to allow Fletcher to join in the fun.

Sometime soon after that match however, Fletcher changed his mind about VFL football, and advised the Blues that he would not be continuing. A teacher by profession, he subsequently moved to western Victoria, and played good football for a couple of seasons with the Portland Tigers.

In 1981 he was appointed captain-coach of Bairnsdale in the strong Latrobe Valley Football League. Inspired by the potential of two outstanding teenagers in Brian Royal and Tom Alvin, Fletcher brought out the best in the club’s youngsters by challenging them at every opportunity, and the Redlegs came good at the business end of the season to beat Sale by 21 points in a cracker of a Grand Final.
 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player pics and bios.

Peter Motley

Career : 1986 – 1987
Debut : Round 2, 1986 vs Richmond, aged 21 years, 192 days
Carlton Player No. 937
Games : 19
Goals : 4
Last Game : Round 6, 1987 vs Sydney, aged 22 years, 218 days
Guernsey No. 2
Height : 185 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 82 kg (12 stone, 13 lbs.)
DOB : 24 September, 1964

On Friday, May 1, 1987, Carlton (second on the ladder) met Sydney (third) at the SCG. It was a fierce, physical contest. Despite five goals to Carlton captain Stephen Kernahan, the Swans were a shade too good and won by seven points. Among the Blues’ best that sunny afternoon was Peter Motley; a rangy, blonde-haired 22 year-old budding champion, playing just his nineteenth game of AFL football in navy blue number 2.

Within a few short days after the game, Motley’s career was tragically ended in an horrific head-on car accident. Although he survived the crash, Peter’s injuries were so severe that he could not play again. The Blues – and more so football in general, was stunned by the loss of one of its fastest-rising stars.

Peter was the son of SANFL legend Geof Motley, one of his State’s greatest players. Geof (his name was spelt this way on his birth certificate) pulled on the boots in 250 games for Port Adelaide in an amazing era in which they won nine SANFL flags between 1954 and ’65. Geof was a significant part of every one of them, either as a player, captain or captain-coach, and he represented SA on 28 occasions.

Peter began his football at Sturt, where he quickly showed that he had inherited all of his father’s football ability, and more. By the age of nineteen he was a 185 cm, 82 kg free-running half back with superb foot skills, pace and balance. He won Sturt’s Best & Fairest award in 1984, and again in 1985 when he was named All Australian. By then the AFL heavyweights were beating a path to the Motley’s front door. Sydney were the front-runners for his signature at first, before the chance to experience the football culture at its epicentre brought him to Carlton in the summer of 1985.

A series of minor muscle strains hampered Peter’s first year with the Blues, but by late in the ‘86 season he had made one half-back flank his own, in a strong Carlton team that finished third after the home and away rounds. Victory over Sydney, then a shock demolition of hot favourites Hawthorn put the Blues straight into that year’s Grand Final, but they were no match for a rampaging Hawks team who ran out winners by 42 points. The half-back flankers named for Carlton in that match were Peter Motley and Des English. English actually played in the back pocket, while Motley controlled his flank to be one of the Blues’ few clear winners.

That defeat, plus the shock of “Motts” accident early in ‘87, was compounded by further bad news when it was revealed that Carlton’s tough and popular defender Des English had been diagnosed with cancer. These twin tragedies galvanised the Blues, who dedicated their year, and their finals campaign, to their stricken team-mates. Carlton beat Hawthorn by 15 points in the second semi-final, then demolished the Hawks by 33 points to gain sweet revenge when they met again in the Grand Final.

As the victorious Blues ran a joyous, emotional lap of honour before more than 92,000 fans on that great day, their first stop was the players race. There, they shared the triumph of Carlton’s 15th Premiership first with Dezzy and Motts – the two special mates who would have, and should have, but couldn’t be out there with them.

 

Thanks to the Blueseum for player bio and pic.

The Spirit of Carlton Past and Present has been excited to produce two videos which feature past players David McKay and Ken Hands. We are hoping that these will be just the beginning of a long series of videos covering many of Carlton’s past players. An opportunity currently exists for sponsorship of the series.

If you are interested in sponsoring future videos please contact us via admin@spiritofcarlton.com for details.

Please see the videos below. Don’t forget you can see all of our videos on our youtube channel SpiritofCarltonTV, subscribe to us and you will not miss out on seeing our future videos.

David McKay

Ken Hands