Just who is Carlton’s greatest player? It’s a question that has forever and a day provoked heated discussion amongst any Blue believers blessed with an opinion.

And in this the 150^th anniversary of its hallowed existence, the Carlton Football Club has seen fit to settle the debate by naming Numero Uno and the cream de la crème of its senior playing ranks – the top 12 Carlton players of all time – in order of merit.

Number 11: Ken Hands

Undoubtedly one of the pivotal Carlton figures of the second half of the 20^th century, Ken Hands made his mark both on and off the field, whether player, recruiter or coach.

A member of the infamous 1945 “Bloodbath” (in which he was felled behind play and remembers precious little) and ’47 Grand Final triumphs, Hands commanded authority as Carlton’s resident ruckman through 211 senior appearances in 13 seasons - during which time he earned his club’s best and fairest in 1953 and ably served as captain.

Wearing the famous No.1 guernsey, Hands would also serve as mentor to the budding young ruckman John Nicholls, whom he signed as club recruiter.