IT remains one of the more defining images of the frenetic final quarter of the 1999 preliminary final – Lance Whitnall, arms raised, hands waving, moments after booting the best of the 348 goals he ever kicked for the Blues, from beyond 50 to the Ponsford Stand end at the MCG.
But only now, with his induction into the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame almost 20 years later, has Whitnall revealed the story behind the story of his “Look at me” moment - and of the identity of the person somewhere within the since-demolished Smoker’s Stand to whom he was directing his wave.
“At that moment in the game there was a lot on the line,” Whitnall recalled. “I just went back, hit the sweet spot actually, and the ball just sailed through – and that was one of the best feelings I ever had on a footy field that’s for sure.
“I was waving to a cousin of mine, Ashley Williams, who barracks for Essendon and was up there that day. He was heartbroken Essendon had lost, but rapt for me at the same time.
“When I was a kid growing up I had a soft spot for Carlton but actually barracked for Essendon, only because my cousin Ashley who I was close to barracked for them – and they (the Bombers) were up and running in ’84 and ’85 when I started barracking.”
Lance Whitnall celebrates THAT goal against Essendon in the 1999 preliminary final. (Photo: AFL Media)
In the immediate aftermath of his induction into the Hall, Whitnall, the 216-game former captain, three-time leading goalkicker and John Nicholls Medallist, conceded that as distinct from prelim final day, the moment had got to him.
“I’m still in shock really. This award means a lot to me, it really does,” Whitnall said. “This award is above the best and fairest as I see it and is a great honour.
“It’s recognition of my service to the club and it means I must have been alright. It seems like only yesterday that I finished as a Carlton player and the day before that I started. At that time I can clearly remember being told ‘blink and it’s gone’ and not thinking a lot about it, but looking back now it’s certainly the truth.”
Rewind to Christmas 1996 when Whitnall was taken by the Club under the father-son rule, his father Graeme having turned out in 66 matches for Carlton between 1974 and ’81. At 17, 'Big Red' was seen, rather unfairly, as the bloke to somehow fill the breach left by Stephen Kernahan and he didn’t disappoint.
“I always wanted to play League footy, but I always had one eye on Carlton - and once Carlton spoke to me as a 16-year-old and showed that they were interested in me there was never any doubt about where I was going to play,” Whitnall said.
“Looking back now, my timing was pretty much perfect. Kernahan was out injured a lot through what would be his last year and Earl Spalding was out injured as well, so I pretty much got thrown straight in, lapped it up and it just went from there.”
Appropriately enough, Lance turned out for the first time in the opening round of ’97 against Essendon – hauling in nine marks, booting four goals and earning Dustin Fletcher (whom he’d idolised) as his opponent on the paddock that grew.
Through the 11 seasons that he played for Carlton, Whitnall was the mainstay up front – and throughout it all the boy from Lalor gained from his father’s steadying influence.
“Dad’s been the greatest influence on my career. He was there for me every step of the way and it was great that he flew down from Darwin to be in the room to see me presented with the award,” Whitnall said.
“He never used to say much, he wasn’t a big talker, but when he talked I certainly listened because he’d been there done that. He was at almost every game I played in Melbourne, but he kept his distance too, which allowed me to be myself.”
In reflecting on his time at the football club, the suitably modest Whitnall saw himself as a Carlton contributor - nothing more, nothing less.
“It’s common knowledge that I was never a speedster, but I tried to use my brain to get around that athletic inability. I prided myself on trying to give effort every time I was out there, whether we were winning by 10 goals or losing by 10 goals,” Whitnall said.
“I’ve got kids of my own now and that’s what I always try to instil into them – ‘try to do your best no matter the situation’.”
Now contented in retirement as a player, Whitnall readily admitted that his love for the Club has never been greater.
“I’ve got more than a soft spot for Carlton. I love the Club,” he said.
“The Club gave me a chance to make it in AFL football. I love being around the Club and I love going down to see the players, particularly when times are hard, to support them - because that’s what they need.”
