WHAT'S IN a cult hero?

Does anybody really know? There's no set criteria, but rather, a quality that - when it boils down to it - the fans cheer the individuals more than most. 

In the 1990s for Carlton, there was more than a fair share of cult heroes. Given this week's game against Essendon will see both the Blues and Bombers go retro, why not revisit them?

We tried to limit it to 10, which was an exercise in itself. In case it wasn't clear, the individuals below had to feature between 1990 to 1999. Sorry, Dennis.

Luke O’Sullivan

A few weeks ago, Marc Pittonet celebrated his 50th career game from nine years in the system: naturally, Carlton supporters immediately drew comparisons to the much-loved ‘Rhino’. Dogged by injuries in his time at Princes Park, O’Sullivan’s clear worth both on and off the field saw him retained at the Blues for a decade, bringing up his 50th milestone in his 10th and final year. Wherever the coaches saw fit to put O’Sullivan on the ground, he unequivocally gave it his all, making him a fan favourite in Navy Blue from 1988 to 1997.

Darren Hulme

It’s been far too long since Darren Hulme featuring on Carlton Media channels, and that run stops now — not that ‘Pup’ knew how. While his best footy was saved for the 2001 season (no, really, have you seen his two-on-one win against the Kangaroos to spark a famous comeback?), Hulme debuted for the Blues back in 1997, originally wearing the No.47 guernsey before moving to the No.27 . . . which had ironically just been vacated by none other than Luke O’Sullivan. Hard, tough and a pure competitor, Hulme was always beloved by the Navy Blue faithful.

Matthew Lappin

If there’s one way to announce yourself to your new fans, taking an all-time hanger against Essendon - which in turn was awarded the 1999 Mark of the Year - five minutes into your club debut is a fair way to do it. That moment in his first Carlton game served as a microcosm for what was to come in a glittering Navy Blue career for Matthew Lappin, who universally went by the name of ‘Skinny’ (all cult heroes need a nickname). Often seen in the long-sleeved Carlton jumper which was just as baggy as Eddie Betts’ shorts, Lappin’s ability to conjure the miraculous meant he was the first favourite player of a number of emerging Bluebaggers.

Ang Christou

Woof. While the histrionics may always be there when looking back on Ang Christou’s career, don’t let the festivities fool you: he was a star. Bursting onto the scene as a 19-year-old back in the final round of 1991, Christou started out with the Carlton under-19s, where it was always apparent that bigger things were on the horizon. From there, Christou would feature in over 150 games for Carlton, becoming an All Australian, two-time Victorian representative and - most importantly - a premiership player in the process. As likeable on the field as he was off it, it’s no surprise that Adam Saad looked up to his next-door neighbour (Ang’s words, not ours).

Earl Spalding

Carlton went shopping at the end of 1991 season, looking for a hard-bodied support act for inspirational captain, Stephen Kernahan. The player they found was Melbourne’s Earl Spalding, and ‘The Duke’ repaid Carlton’s faith in kind. It may have been fresh in the Blues’ memories that in his final year at the Redlegs, Spalding had 22 disposals, 12 marks and two goals against his future team — so the Blues thought it’d be best to have him on their team. What ensued was a six-year career spanning over 100 games, typified by pure physicality and an iconic Carlton moment from the 1995 Grand Final with his smother and goal to the city end.

Mil Hanna

The first Lebanese player in the VFL/AFL competition, the man otherwise known as ‘The Cranium’ nearly had things ruined just as his career got started. The highly touted young forward tore his ACL just minutes into his senior debut, but the make-it-or-break-it moment was very much a case of the latter. Powerful and athletic in equal measure, Hanna put the early heartbreak - and a concussion in the 1993 Grand Final - behind him, putting together a career which yielded 190 games, a 1995 premiership medallion, Hall of Fame induction and the adoration of Carlton fans everywhere for the man in the No.13 guernsey.

Brad Pearce

Brad Pearce’s record from his first three years is as follows: two Brisbane Bears games and one goal in 1993, two Carlton games and zero goals in 1994, 23 Carlton games and 52 goals in the 1995 premiership year. Being delisted by the Bears after one season, it was Shane O’Sullivan - who recruited Pearce to Brisbane, before returning to Carlton at the end of that year - that said Pearce deserved another chance as a train-on player. The clever left-footer responded to adversity made the most of the faith shown in him by his second club, forming a strong relationship with the likes of fellow recruits in Spalding and Matt Clape (West Coast) on the way to Grand Final success.

Tom Alvin

If you need to know why Tom Alvin was destined for cult hero status, just look at his hair. Debuting back in 1984, Alvin’s VFL/AFL career lasted up until 1994, pulling on the Carlton jumper for precisely 100 occasions in the 1990s. By the turn of the decade, Alvin was already an established Carlton favourite, playing his role to a t in the Blues’ 1987 triumph. A utility in every sense of the word, Alvin was a pivotal member of the Blues for over a decade, winning many fans for his performances in wins just as much as he did for his performances in losses. 

Lance Whitnall

Can cult heroes be regarded as cult heroes if they end up becoming captains of the Club? In Lance Whitnall’s case, we’ll allow it. The son of Graeme stepped into Princes Park back in 1997 and well and truly burst onto the scene from game one, kicking four against Essendon to earn a Rising Star nomination on debut. As the Blues regenerated with key experience departing in his first two years, Whitnall - alongside forward partner Aaron Hamill - was a shining light for Carlton, and that in culminated in that moment in the 1999 preliminary final. From the junction of the 50-metre line and the boundary, ‘Big Red’ sunk the red and black, and prompted that famous (and factual) call: “You’d want to be on the Blues now!”. 

Dean Rice

The third member of this list that changed clubs and went on to enjoy 1995 premiership success, Dean ‘Special Fried’ Rice churned out 118 games at Carlton after 116 at St Kilda. It was a testament to Rice’s will power and character that he ended his career on 234 matches, having negotiated serious injury - three knee injuries, including one on his Carlton debut - to fight out a footballing CV that others simply couldn’t have. It was that drive, fight and passion which saw Rice loved by all of those in the Navy Blue, earning praise from all angles when his career came to a close in 2001 against - ironically - St Kilda.