As much as I’ll never be able to care about Port, Fremantle or Western Sydney, I’ve never regretted the VFL going national. And not because I like seeing the Blues flog a team by 119 points. It’s because in 1987, when the change came, outdated VFL merchandise was practically thrown out.
For my 9th birthday, I was presented with my second ever Carlton jumper - a woollen number with an iron-on CFC and a VFL badge. I still have the jumper, now without sleeves, and I still wear it. Mum bought it a few sizes too big, on special. Only problem is -- the back is blank. I could never settle on a player to back by putting him on my back.
It wasn’t a lack of heroes. The ‘87 side was quite handy, as it happens. Maybe too handy. How could you decide between the 4 of the new captain, finally here after the agonising wait as we watched him mature at Glenelg, or the 1 of the fresh-faced, flat-topped SOS, still a teenager, but already capable of greatness, as evidenced by his mark of theyear the following season?
I was there that day, and got separated from my dad in the crowd. A number on my back might have helped them identify me at the police stand. Then there was the old guard still dominating, like the Dominator. Or cult heroes like Tommy Alvin - his 31 obscured by flowing locks. Or the 9 of Kenny Hunter, which was frequently seen backing into a pack. I couldn’t decide. So I didn’t.
My second burst of passion for the Blues came in the early 90’s. The blank-backed jumper, now a snugger fit, still made the trek with me to Princes Park. It was a ‘rebuilding’ phase, so another wave of players were momentarily considered. The 13 of Mil, (I eventually wore it in my one season in the back pocket for the Watsonia Saints) or even the 11 of Spalding .
Then came the 1992 season. I, ahem, wanted 27 on my back. Yes, the Rhino. I don’t know what it was. The thighs? The sideburns? The four-goal haul in round 6? There was something everyman about him, but with a flair that seemed out of step with his ability. I identified with that. I still do.
But at the time, I was angling for a new jumper. One of the new, shiny sort maybe. With an AFL badge on it. Getting with the times. So I waited. But the new jumper never came, and Rhino drifted in and out of the team, and in and out of my favour as he crept towards his 62 games. The jumper stayed blank.
Maybe it’s time to right some wrongs. Maybe follow through with what I should have done 19 years ago. Maybe I should go get a 2 and a 7 and warm the iron up.
Who did you have on your jumper? Or could you never decide?
Ben Birchall is a writer, musician and co-hosts The Breakfasters on 3RRR in Melbourne.
