THROWING it back.
This weekend will signify the Blues’ Heritage Game, wearing their 2024 Heritage guernsey when they take on the Hawks at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Featuring retro logos for Co-Major partner Hyundai as well as the AFL, the collared jumper is an homage to the Carlton of old, representing 160 years of the Club.
Iconic Carlton forwards Stephen Kernahan and Harry McKay joined Billy Brownless and James Brayshaw on Triple M to chat about the guernsey and what it means to be a Blue.
“We’re playing at the MCG against Hawthorn, we’ve got the Heritage jumper with a blue collar. It does look pretty good, I know all the boys are keen to wear it,” McKay said.
Kernahan said that the past players catch up often, with many gathering together last week to watch the Blues take on the Pies.
All feeling an ever-lasting connection to the Navy Blue, the past players have been actively involved in the Heritage Game lead-up, from photo shoots to interviews and the screening of the 1970s Grand Final documentary.
“Our past players are great around the Club, we have our World Cup of Golf – golf is the best way to keep the friendships alive,” Kernahan said.
“I saw a lot of the boys at the MCG last week and at Adelaide Oval when we got the better of Port Adelaide.”
For Carlton's Team of the Century captain, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Acknowledging a monster offer he received to be a part of the inaugural Adelaide Crows team, Kernahan was clear on what the Carlton Football Club meant to him.
“[Adelaide] knocked on my door all year, drove me mad. I could’ve gone, I would’ve gone for double what I was on,” he said.
“I had one club, and I’m still there.”
With the Hawthorn game looming, Carlton is looking to finish its season off strongly after some missed opportunities in recent weeks.
Falling to Collingwood by three points, McKay noted the fightback that his side showed late in the game, hurling themselves towards the finish line and just falling short.
Acknowledging that wins need to be on the board, the form shown throughout games has been a silver lining for the Blues.
“I think whenever you’re a few goals down in the last quarter, there’s a little bit more freedom with how you move the ball and a little bit more courage to go at it,” McKay said.
“‘Vossy' said post-game our ability to always be brave and hang in there until the last minute has been there in all our losses this year. Bar maybe the Sydney one, we’ve been within a kick.
“Although you want to win, some of those moments of taking it to the last minute will hold us in good stead.”
The competition is at its most even in the final three rounds, with teams sitting outside of the eight still mathematically eligible for finals.
McKay isn’t concerned about the Blues' current position, referencing the remaining three games and the way that they have been able to play at their peak throughout the season.
“I can’t remember a year ever being this tight with three games left,” he said.
“There’s still three games to go so plenty of footy left but we feel if we can play our best footy, we can beat anyone.
“We’ll give ourselves a chance and see what happens, but it’s been a really unique year.”
