THE FORMER Carlton half-forward and self-confessed green thumb Simon Verbeek had just completed a rose inspection at Flemington Racecourse when he decided to make an impromptu beeline to IKON Park.

Not since 1991 - the last of his three seasons as a flanker in the days of Kernahan, Bradley and Silvagni - had the 38-game forward in the No.15 set foot in the old stomping ground on Royal Parade.

And like all former players, he was truly gobsmacked by what he saw.

“I cannot believe the changes,” Verbeek said after completing his inspection of IKON Park and its recently completed Stage 3 redevelopment.

“Where I’m standing now is where the old Robert Heatley Stand stood, with its little tunnels both inside and out to the changerooms. Compared to now, that’s miles apart.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been back, I can’t honestly remember the last time I was here, and the changes are just incredible.”

The seemingly endless conga line of Carlton premiership trophies at the main entrance made a real impression on Verbeek, but the names featured on the flip boxes and the walls elicited an even greater response.

“I wasn’t part of Carlton at a successful time, so I don’t have that connection with the cups, but when I see the names like Stephen Kernahan, Craig Bradley and Stephen Silvagni that’s when I realise how privileged I was to be here.”

Verbeek - who joined Carlton on the recommendation of his then coach at Oakleigh, the Blues’ 1968 premiership wingman Bryan Quirk - savoured every moment of his spontaneous sentimental journey.

He was photographed by the players’ wall carrying his name and the accompanying number (957) as the 957th Carlton footballer to complete his senior debut since Jimmy Aitken in the inaugural VFL season of 1897.

Later he rested his legs by the old No.15 locker - now the domain of the current keeper of the No.15 guernsey Sam Docherty, and previous keepers Jim Marchbank, ‘Mocca’ Johnson, Bruce Comben and Val Perovic amongst them.

“I wasn’t here for a long time but it’s nice to have been connected to a great club and I’ll be forever grateful for that,” said Verbeek.

“I’m very excited with how the Club is trekking along now. I’m looking forward to seeing more games and savouring more successes – and how good was it that ‘Crippsy’ (Patrick Cripps) won the Brownlow!”