CIRCUMSTANCE might of course dictate that Ed Curnow is again called upon this September – but as it stands the 221-game player is the last current-listed Carlton senior player to have represented his club in both winning and losing AFL finals.

Curnow was there 10 years ago when the Blues made the eight from ninth as a consequence of Essendon’s expulsion over the supplements saga.

He was part of the team which triumphed over Richmond in the first elimination final at the MCG on 8 September, and the 22 which lost the first semi final to Sydney at Stadium Australia six days later. Ironically, the elimination final marks 10 years to the day since the Blues’ last finals triumph, and the semi final opponent is the outfit Carlton confronts at the ‘G in the first eliminator on Friday night.

For those of the dark navy persuasion amongst the 94,690 who bore witness, fond memory clings to that unlikely victory over the Tigers. Thoughts turn to the four-goal haul of the late inclusion and unlikeliest of forwards Nick Duigan, the exhilarating running goal of Chris Judd (“this will be fitting . . . THIS WILL BE FITTING,” as Dennis Cometti called it) and the equally stimulating sealer of Jeff Garlett.

In the lead-up to Friday night’s first elimination final against the Swans, three Carlton players who were there with Curnow 10 years ago – Tom Bell, Heath Scotland and the then captain Marc Murphy - recount that meritorious 20-point victory over the yellow and black and what it means to them that their old club is again challenging for the September silverware.

Tom Bell

“When I think about that semi-final against Richmond, a couple of things come to mind. You can’t forget ‘Juddy’s’ (Chris Judd’s) goal in the last quarter and Robbie Warnock’s shepherd to guide ‘Juddy’ through. My other memory of that game is actually running out for what was our first final in a couple of years and seeing almost 95,000 people there including the big Carlton faithful. I remember slowing down and taking it all in before the first bounce, so I never found it intimidating.

Right now I’m having a kick for East Doncaster with Simon White and Josh Deluca - and I’d just come off the ground after the match against Vermont at Zerbes Reserve when I got into the rooms and saw the replay of big Charlie (Curnow) clunking that mark to hold out Gold Coast (in Round 23). It was crazy.

Having been born in Brisbane and growing up there I remember the Brisbane premiership teams of 2001, ’02 and ’03 – and the way ‘Vossy’ played then is exactly how the (Carlton) boys are playing now.

The last nine weeks speak for themselves. The brand of football the boys are playing is tough and hard, which stands up in finals, and the way they have handled the high-pressure moments in the games against Melbourne and Gold Coast has been unbelievable.

It’s incredibly exciting to see the Carlton team again in the finals. I’m loving the walks around Princes Park and seeing the blue caps and scarves out and about.”

Heath Scotland

“Obviously we were lucky enough to get back into the finals at Essendon’s expense through the supplements saga, so the build-up to the 2013 final was unique, but we’d had a pretty good season: we’d beaten Port in Adelaide in Adelaide the week before and we felt that we deserved to be there.

I was confident going into the Richmond game. We matched up pretty well against the Tigers, in the earlier games we were able to peg them back when we got our game going, and that’s exactly how it panned out in the elimination final.

Thinking back, I remember the roar running out and the big Richmond crowd. But I also remember the Carlton army coming to life when we pegged them back. That was huge and the energy was unbelievable. I also remember Nick Duigan coming out of nowhere and kicking four and the Judd goal is also a memory.

I’m no different to any other supporter in how I feel about Carlton’s rise in 2023. I’ve been so proud of the boys in the way they’ve been able to correct the horrible slump with a strong brand of footy that stacks up – and now they’re dangerous.

While I’m not part of the inner sanctum now, it may be that some players might feel the pressure of expectation in finals - but given how well they are prepared and how well they’ve been led, they seem a pretty level-headed group. If they continue to play hard team footy and they get it going, wow.”

Marc Murphy

“What comes to mind about the 2013 elimination final is that we spoilt Richmond’s party, because everyone was talking about how far the Tigers were going to go. Of the 95,000 in the joint, 60,000 were Richmond supporters, but I’ve never heard a noise as loud as when we came back. The last-minute call-up of Nick Duigan, the handball from Jarrad Waite to ‘Juddy’ and the Jeff Garlett goal to seal the win is what I most remember of that final.

Now that Carlton is back playing finals I’m happy for all the blokes who’ve been through tough times – the likes of ‘Crippa’ and ‘Doc’ - who now get to savour the successes in representing the Navy Blue and winning on the MCG. I’m especially happy for all the young Carlton-supporting kids, like my boy Max who always gets upset when we lose. As a parent I’ve always reassured him ‘It’s all right, Carlton will come good’ and it’s been great to sing the theme song with him.

I haven’t booked any holidays for September because I wouldn’t miss the finals for anything. I’ll be there with bells on. I never lost a Melbourne final in my time as a player either, so maybe there’s an omen.”