IT may have been September, but Saint Nicholas (of house Duigan) produced the perfect gift for Carlton supporters at the MCG. 

And as is the case with all gifts, it was so much better given how unexpected it was.

Unexpected how?

First of all, Nick Duigan was a defender by trade. In his first two seasons at Carlton, he rarely missed a game.

Secondly, he had played just three games in 2013, up until that point.

Third, he wasn’t even in the team five minutes before the bounce. Famously, he was eating salad rolls before he got the tap on the shoulder that he would be replacing Brock McLean as the latest of inclusions.

Finally, he kicked four goals in front of 94,690 people to will Carlton to victory in a famous Elimination Final triumph against Richmond. 

The Blues trailed a rampaging Tigers side by 32 points in the opening stages of the third term.

In its first final in 12 years, Richmond wasn’t going to let this slip. They couldn’t let this slip.

For all money, they weren’t going to.

And then... 

Having only kicked six career goals to that point, Duigan kicked his first just before half time. 

Two more would follow in a third quarter which Carlton came roaring back to life.

While the regular crew of Judd, Murphy and Gibbs stood up, it was Duigan - with some help from Jarrad Waite - who would shock the Tigers in September. 

He effectively sealed matters with the goal to put the Blues 16 points up with not a long time to go.

Duigan would only play one more game for his career — the semi final against Sydney the following week.

Courageous and dependable, Duigan proved himself to be a favourite among Carlton fans in 2011 and 2012.