Over the course of the 2015 AFL Trade Period, carltonfc.com.au has counted down the Blues' top-10 trades over the past 30 years.
From Andrejs Everitt (No.10) to the champion Chris Judd (No.2), it's time to reveal which trade sits atop as the Blues' greatest.
Coming in at No.1: Greg Williams
The Trade: In 1991 it took a three-way trade to get Greg Williams to Carlton.
Sydney gained Carlton’s Simon Minton-Connell and Fitzroy’s Darren Kappler, Fitzroy picked up Blues Peter Satori and Ashley Matthews, and Carlton landed Williams.
Greg Williams during his Sydney Swans days. (Photo: AFL Photos)
When Greg Williams arrived at Princes Park at the end of 1991, rumour said he was being paid an estimated $350,000 a season – the highest contract the game had seen – and he was worth it!
It was to be ‘Diesel’s’ third and final club, having already played 34 games for Geelong and 107 for the Swans.
After missing the first six rounds of 1992 due to an AFL imposed ban (for a misdemeanor at Sydney) Williams made his much-awaited debut in navy blue in Round 7 against Footscray.
Although the Blues went down by 10 goals, Diesel managed to record 21 disposals and lay four tackles at the MCG.
The hard-running centre went on to play 108 games for Carlton over six seasons and collected nearly every award imaginable, from All-Australian honours to the AFL Players’ Association’s MVP (1994).
The two-time All-Australian (1993, 1994) also won a second Brownlow for his standout season in 1994, having already won the competition’s highest honour with the Swans in 1986.
Greg Williams becomes Carlton's fourth Brownlow Medallist. (Photo: AFL Photos)
On September 30 1995, the keeper of the No. 2 jumper received the sweetest of birthday presents. He took home a premiership medallion and the Norm Smith Medal, but not before the Blues cheersquad sung ‘Happy Birthday’ to the great man during the final quarter.
In July this year, at the 20-year reunion dinner for the ’95 premiership team, former Carlton captain Stephen Kernahan made a point of reminding everyone in the room he kicked five in that premiership victory – a fact lost after Williams also kicked five.
The birthday boy took all before him in the 1995 grand final. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Williams is part of the Carlton Hall of Fame, the AFL’s Hall of Fame, Carlton’s Team of the Century and the AFL’s Team of the Century – a true champion who will always be remembered as one of the greatest Bluebaggers to play the game.
The top 10:
Top Trades: #10 - Andrejs Everitt
Top Trades: #9 - Corey McKernan
Top Trades: #8 - Sam Docherty
Top Trades: #7 - Ron De Iulio
Top Trades: #6 - Adrian Hickmott
Top Trades: #5 - Earl Spalding
Top Trades: #4 - Matthew Lappin
Top Trades: #3 - Heath Scotland
Top Trades: #2 - Chris Judd
Top Trades: #1 - Greg Williams
