WHEN DENNIS Armfield turned out for Carlton for 145 games over the course of a decade, there weren’t many more popular players. The term cult hero summed him up perfectly - especially for those who chose to tune into their games via Triple M, with cries of “DENNIS!” following his every move.
For all those of a Navy Blue persuasion, it was not only the infectious personality, energy and passion that he played with which made him a fan favourite. Additionally, it was the irrefutable fact that away from the game, Armfield was - very simply - an outstanding human being.
Having time for everyone and always willing to go above and beyond for his team, Armfield was the quintessential character and person that made his football club a better place. That was never more evident than when he was awarded the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award on Brownlow night in 2015.
It comes as no surprise that Armfield is one of those past players who will be partaking in this Sunday’s inaugural Run For Respect at Princes Park. The Carlton Respects initiative - which is now in its 10th year - launched when Armfield was playing, and from the outset, it was a cause he invested his full support behind.
Sitting down with Carlton Media about why he’s running this Sunday and his pride behind the Carlton Respects initiative as a whole, his reasons are as poignant and powerful as they come. The below are Armfield’s words.
When Carlton Respects started during the time I was at the football club, it was a big passion of mine.
It all started when Kristy McKellar came in to the football club and shared her story with us all, which resonated with me. Having people I know that are close to me that have been victims of it all, we’ve got to share the story.
Before meeting me, my wife was a victim.
Even though she’s well past those days, it’s understanding and seeing how some things can trigger them, how lasting the ramifications can be.
I’m a big believer that we’ve got to look after the ones we love most. My passion is to create less divide in a world which is pretty divided: things like this allow me to do my one percent. If I can influence the live of one person in a positive way, I’m better today than I was yesterday.
So when I got asked to partake in the first Run For Respect this Sunday, there’s no better way to do that than throw your full support behind and being part of these opportunities.
It’s not just about domestic violence, it’s about everyone.
As a man, we can take a lot for granted. I can walk home from a pub, I can walk down an alleyway late at night, I can do things by myself and not even have to think about it.
Toxic masculinity is a term which gets thrown around, but it’s a term that I’m sick of - because I think masculinity can be a beautiful thing. It’s only when it’s put in front of toxic people that it becomes a toxic act.
We’ve got to be better, and it’s something I won’t shy away from - as men, we have to be better. Being masculine in a way that’s supportive of our loved ones, I want to continue to do that.
It’s why I’m very honoured to have been part of Carlton Respects when it started, very honoured to be part of it now and very proud to be part of change occurring. There’s still plenty of work to do, but what started out as wearing orange socks - which sounds plain and simple - has led to school programs, it’s led to educating people what it’s about, it’s led to something like the Run For Respect.
I still have my orange socks from the very first year, I still wear the orange socks that I get sent out, my business socks are orange. It starts a conversation. Everything starts with awareness - from there you gain an insight and then from there you’ve got a choice, and the beauty of the Carlton Respects initiative is that it raises awareness for people. And it isn’t just a one-week thing: it’s all doing its part to change the world one step at a time.
It’s such a serious and worthy cause, and I think the Run For Respect is a great way to continue that conversation. From my point of view, I don’t know why anybody would willingly sign up to do a run - I certainly don’t have good memories of running around Princes Park, and I certainly don’t know how I’m going to go running, but I’ll be there and doing it all!
The worst Princes Park run memory that comes to mind was when we were meant to play an intra club, but it was pissing down with rain so it got cancelled. We ended up doing the run, came inside and they said ‘nope, you’re going out again’. On the second one, I ended up tearing my hamstring tendon - to this day I don’t know how I did it, I think it’s impossible to injure anything when you’re running that slow.
So I must admit that when Shane O’Sullivan asked me to do it, the hairs on my arms went up as an ‘oh no, what am I doing going back there’.
I’m not worried about the result or how I go against some of my old teammates - I’ll just be worrying about my own backyard and making sure my legs keeping ticking over! It’ll be great to connect with past players and staff, meet new people, encourage them and push them to celebrate the great work they’re doing.
Whether they’re walking, jogging or running, whether it’s the three, five or 10-kilometre, whether they’re taking part or just coming down to support and be part of the day - I think just the ability to be there and to be able to put our energy behind it, the outcome will be bigger than the result.
And that’s where my energy will be going — although I’m not sure if that’s a copout given I may end up walking half of it by myself…
See you Sunday.