Kernahan was addressing a crowd of 1,500 at the 2011 John Nicholls Medal (Carlton Best & Fairest) Dinner at Crown Palladium.
After congratulating the coaching panel and players on another year of progress in 2011, in which the team won 14 ½ games during the home and away season, Kernahan said the finals provided a highlight and the disappointment for the year.
“One of our goals in 2011 was to play and win a home final and we achieved this aim with a resounding victory over Essendon in the Elimination Final at the MCG.
“Unfortunately it was disappointing to lose in Perth against the West Coast in the semi-final. It was a step forward to be playing another final and the team lost no admirers from the brave performance, but it ended our finals campaign and highlighted the need to finish in the top four,” Kernahan said.
“Our culture is about final football, we must now ensure it is about finishing in the top four. Do this and we will be in a position to achieve our goal, to win our 17th Premiership,” Kernahan added.
The President congratulated Brett Ratten on his reappointment for a further two years and said the Club will provide the coaching staff and players with the support that ensures Carlton is in a position to win a 17th premiership.
In acknowledging the evening was about the 2011 season, Kernahan congratulated the winners of the season awards as well as Chris Judd and Marc Murphy on being selected in the All Australian team. He also made a special presentation to Andrew Walker for the Carlton Mark of the Year, saying it was the best mark he had seen for a long time.
Earlier Kernahan acknowledged and thanked the sponsors of the Club and praised the Carlton supporters, in particular those who had joined as members in 2011, a year of record membership for Carlton.
He also had a special welcome for John Nicholls, the man the Carlton Best & Fairest Award is named in honour of.
“The Carlton Best & Fairest Award is the greatest individual award at the Carlton Football Club and it is named in honour of Carlton’s greatest ever player, John Nicholls. It is a pleasure to welcome John, a Carlton Legends and an official Legend of the Game, and his wife Janet, to tonight’s function.”
In finishing his presentation Kernahan said the night was about Carlton’s on-field performances in 2011, to reflect on the year and pay tribute to our players.
“However tonight also signifies the end of 2011 for the Carlton Team. Tomorrow the focus for everyone at Carlton is on 2012. We all have an important role to play to continue to build the Carlton Football Club to enable us to enjoy a successful future.
“The Carlton Football Club is about success. Together we must grow this Club and together we will win our 17th Premiership.
“All of us together under the one banner, I AM CARLTON.”
