Little light can be shed on this old sepia image recently left at reception at Visy Park, which shows officials, trainers, umpires, mascots and footballers of assorted teams, including the Big V, posing by the boundary line.
The man seated second from the left in the Carlton guernsey is thought to be George Topping, one of the more colourful characters in the early days of the club’s existence as a VFL entity.
Fitzroy-born, Topping’s eventful playing tenure took in 125 matches over 12 seasons - 1902-’10, ’12, ’14 and ’16 - including the premiership hat-trick of 1906, ’07 and ’08 under the famed Carlton coach Jack Worrall.
A feisty forward pocket, Topping copped an 18-month suspension in the fourth round of 1910 then ironically pursued a career in umpiring before completing his return.
The Carlton Football Club would be grateful for any further information regarding this photograph.
(A larger version of the image is available below.)
