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Some of the greatest names in the illustrious history of the Carlton Football Club are to rub shoulders with the Blues of today and tomorrow, when the Spirit Of Carlton celebrates the Magnificent Sevens Luncheon at The Dome’s Victory Room on Thursday, August 30.
Everyone from John Nicholls – acknowledged as the Club’s greatest-ever player - through to No.1 draftee Bryce Gibbs – will be there to acknowledge the premierships of 1907, 1947 and 1987.
The Spirit of Carlton Committee, which comprises Club luminaries such as Jim Buckley, Mike Fitzpatrick, Ken Hunter, Mark Maclure, David Parkin, David Rhys-Jones and Robert Walls, want to ensure that the players of today and tomorrow understand the culture of Carlton and what it represents, which is success.
The Spirit of Carlton sees its role as welcoming the current group of players to the fold.
“The Spirit Of Carlton was developed because we believe the players were let down by us and many other supporters of the Club over the past six years. The players know they’ve let themselves down too,” the Committee said.
“We just want to help them. We’re not going to leave them alone until they revive the spirit of Carlton for which the Carlton Football Club has been renowned and pass that on to the next generation.
“That is why we want all supporters of the Club to attend the luncheon and play their part in reviving that spirit.”
Carlton’s 1947 premiership heroes including Ken Hands, Alan Greenshields and Fred Stafford – the man who sunk Essendon’s Grand Final hopes with a dramatic match-winning goal – will be in attendance, together with 1987 Norm Smith Medallist and premiership player David Rhys-Jones, premiership coach Robert Walls and premiership captain Stephen Kernahan.
Recently-appointed interim coach Brett Ratten, one of the most decorated No.7s in Carlton’s history, will also attend the luncheon, while three-time Carlton premiership player and club best and fairest Jim Buckley is to deliver a keynote address about the culture of Carlton and what it means to him.
Two Carlton guernseys - signed by each of the Club’s 102 surviving premiership players dating back to 1937 best and fairest Don McIntyre – will be auctioned, with the Spirit Of Carlton to forward all proceeds to the Club for the purchase of new technology and equipment to assist today’s players in improving their individual performances and contributions to team spirit.
The Magnificent Sevens Luncheon follows on from the Spirit of Carlton’s highly-successful golf day and dinner early in the year, which was attended by all present players and many past players and supporters of the Club.
Tickets to the Spirit Of Carlton’s Magnificent Sevens Luncheon, set down for 12 noon on Thursday, August 30, can be purchased at $150 per head or $1500 per table of ten, which can be paid directly to Mandy Hunter at the Carlton Football Club on 9389 6256. Click here to book now.
Further enquiries regarding the Spirit Of Carlton, including auction items, can be directed to Bob Lowrie on 0438 271947.
