Resident historian Stephen Williamson notes that the match doubles as Carlton’s 2300th contest since its inception as a foundation member of the VFL, and that Kade Simpson will have represented the Blues in each of those past 100 matches since the opening round of 2006 against Melbourne at The Dome.
Only one other Carlton player has achieved such a feat - the late Jim Francis, who represented his team in all 100 games of the club block between game no. 700 (Round 10, 1935 versus Essendon at Windy Hill) and game no.800 (Round 16, 1940 versus St Kilda at Princes Park).
It must however be noted that both Bruce Doull and John Nicholls would have played in each of Carlton’s 100-block games (Nicholls managed 96 of the club’s 1300-1400-game block between Round 12, 1967 and the opening round of ’72, and Doull 99 of the club’s 1400-1500-game block between the opening round of 1972 and the fourth round of ’76 and a further 99 of the club’s 1600-1700-game block between Round 10, 1980 and Round 13, ’84) had they not been committed to representing the Big V on Carlton matchdays.
“Simmo” will undoubtedly be seeking a better return on his next 100, given that of the previous 99 matches in which he has appeared, the Carlton team emerged with a win/loss ratio of 36/62 and a draw thrown in.
