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 150th 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 2: Stephen Kernahan
In respect of this man, the numbers truly stack up - 251 games, a club record 738 goals, All-Australian selection, two-time Carlton Premiership captain, three-time club Best & Fairest and leading goalkicker for eleven consecutive seasons.
And yet the stats only tell part of the whole for Stephen Kernahan – the game’s longest-serving on-field leader and one of this club’s most revered figures.
When the former Chairman of Selectors the late Wes Lofts led the call for another Royce Hart, the Blues came damned in landing the 16 year-old “Sticks”. In 12 seasons from 1986 through to his retirement in ’97, Kernahan was the front man for Carlton - and his association would continue as both selector, committeeman and of course, President.
Few are as loyal to the cause as the man who stands by his club. The great Stephen Kernahan.
