Interim Carlton President, Stephen Kernahan, spoke about the progress of the young Carlton team in 2008 together with the continued growth of the club off the field prior to Friday night’s match against St Kilda at the MCG. He also thanked Greig Pickhaver (H G Nelson) for making the time to travel down from Sydney to not only be at the game but to make himself available to speak with guests during the dinner. (H G Nelson was a special guest at the dinner and spoke about a number of issues from the 2008 AFL season, in his own style of course. Once again he proved to be very funny and a very popular addition to the pre-match entertainment in the President’s function).
Round 15 and importantly the season is still alive for Carlton - the first time since 2001. However it is not just about the season still being alive, it is about the development and the improvement in the individuals and the team.
About facing the challenges each week.
Today we face St Kilda, a team we have not enjoyed success over since round 20 in 2001, having lost 10 consecutive matches since that time.
Another challenge for this exciting young group – recent history has given the 2008 team some terrible records to try and shatter and they have done so on a number of occasions
- Most consecutive losses in the Club’s history – stopped in round four
- Keeping opposition to under 100 points – also stopped in round four
- Lack of success interstate – reversed in rounds seven and 11.
- In round nine we defeated Fremantle for the first time since round 16 in 2001, after nine consecutive losses – similar to the historic challenge we face today.
It is a challenge for the team and an important occasion with two players celebrating milestones.
Heath Scotland – plays his 100th game for Carlton in his 153rd AFL game
Joined Carlton from Collingwood after the 2003 season and has played 100 of a possible 103 games since joining Carlton.
Marc Murphy – plays his 50th AFL game
Number one selection in the 2005 National Draft he has shown why he was the number one selection and we are looking forward to many more games from Marc in the Navy Blue Guernsey. It is a wonderful milestone as he joins his Grandfather and his father to play 50 AFL matches.
The excitement that has been generated on the field in 2008 is displayed off the field in a number of areas:
A record membership of 40,764 – and we thank everyone who has joined as a member this year. It is important that we continue to grow our membership as the Carlton Football Club is about people.
The corporate support continues to grow as well. This is shown tonight with over 570 guests here in the President’s dinner and all available facilities for Carlton for tonight’s game are sold out.
Adding to this excitement is the progress of the development of the elite training facilities at Princes Park.
- The Social Club and Heatley Stand have been closed and fences have been erected around these areas
- Reception has been relocated to near Gate 1 at the ground
- Preliminary engineering and site inspection works have commenced
- Tenders are due to be received later this month and all being well the redevelopment will officially be underway next month
The future is exciting on and off the field – it would be a bonus tonight to have our exciting young team overcome another challenge with a victory over St Kilda.
