“Tonight signifies the end of the 2012 season for the Carlton Football Club. Tonight we recognise individual performances from the season and the entire playing group in what is our final event for 2012,” Kernahan said to the 1400 guests in attendance.
“The John Nicholls Medal, Carlton’s Best & Fairest Award is the greatest individual award at the Carlton Football Club. It is named in honour of Carlton’s greatest ever player, John Nicholls, a Carlton Legend and an official Legend of the game.”
In reflecting on the season Kernahan said there was no hiding from the fact 2012 was most disappointing after continued improvement and three consecutive years of finals football.
“We acknowledge there were a number of factors that contributed to the lack of success but the reality is we finished outside the top eight and that is simply not acceptable, particularly after our start to the season.”
Kernahan acknowledged the contribution of Brett Ratten and said that the decision not to continue with Ratten as the senior coach was a very difficult one, particularly when he is a great Carlton person. However it was important to make the right decision for the Club and that is why Carlton has a new coach, an experienced premiership coach in Mick Malthouse.
On the playing side Kernahan congratulated all the award winners on the evening and made special mention of the seven players who made their AFL debuts in 2012. He also thanked the members for making the season a record for club membership.
Kernahan also made a special presentation to Kade Simpson on his Club record 158 consecutive Carlton games between round 15, 2005 and round 15, 2012.
“We all remember when ‘Simmo’s’ consecutive games streak came to an end - it was in our second win of the season over Collingwood in Round 15,” Kernahan said.
The Carlton President finished his address confirming the focus after tonight was firmly on the future.
“Tomorrow the focus for everyone at Carlton is on 2013 - our future and we already have 2013 Membership on sale.
“We go into the new season with a new coach - an experienced premiership coach who wants everyone standing alongside each other to go forward together.
“There are no limits - we want people at Carlton who believe”
