Carlton’s three senior debutants in tonight’s 2015 season opener against Richmond at the MCG – Kristian Jaksch and the two Indigenous players Liam Jones and Clem Smith – are to be formally presented with their guernseys pre-match.
Jaksch will be handed his No.18 guernsey by the 1995 Premiership player Fraser Brown. Jones will accept his No.14 from a former wearer Brad Fisher, while Clem Smith will be handed the No.25 worn by Brendan Fevola – the third highest career goalkicker in Carlton history.
Fevola will also hand the matchday ball to the field umpire prior to the first bounce.
Jaksch, Jones and Smith become Carlton’s 1157th, 8th and 9th players respectively to have represented their club since guernsey numbers were first introduced in 1911.
Jones and Smith join a coveted group of 14 Indigenous footballers to have represented the old dark Navy Blues in the 84 years since Myamyn’s Alf Egan made his senior debut against Essendon in Round 3, 1931.
Those to follow Alf were Cyril Mann, Syd Jackson, Rod Waddell, Mark Naley, Troy Bond, Justin Murphy, Sean Charles, Andrew Walker, Cory McGrath, Eddie Betts, Joe Anderson, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran.
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