It is not about the number on the back but the emblem on the front:

The season teeters. What started out so bold and beautiful has turned dark and dangerous. This season could go either way. We could make the eight and finally play finals again or we could join the list of also-rans. We could finish outside the eight and be forced to wait at least another year to see Finals action. This game, then, this contest between us and the Bulldogs must become a defining game for the season. How fitting, how fortunately aligned, that it is on this weekend, when we celebrate the generations who have made the ultimate sacrifice, that this pivotal game will take place.

That must be the key word for our team: Sacrifice. We must make sacrifices for the team. We must make it a collective aim to ensure each action is sacrificial; each action is intended to help the team. Every act, every moment is for the other 21 Bluebaggers out there striving for victory. As John Kennedy once said, ‘don’t think, do’ and to that we’ll add, don’t do it for yourself, do it for the team.

And it cannot be cheated. It cannot be done half-hearted; it must be a real commitment. Each player must look into the eyes of his teammates and see the same desire, the same intent, and the same promise that the team will come first. That for this game, for these four quarters, from opening bounce to final siren, each player will do everything for the team.

That means rather than a ping from the boundary, we centre the ball, that we kick to the top of the square, that we chase, hard, that we shepherd and smother and tackle and assist. Running to assist, to lend physical support, to give vocal support also. If all 22 players sacrifice their game for the good of the team, if each player plays with the single purpose of doing everything they can to play this game for their team, we will win and we will set our season back on track.

It is easy to make goals, to set agendas, to stand in a circle with your arms around each others’ shoulders before the event and make loud promises with flowing words. Easy and useless. What must happen is, each player must display the sacrificial acts in the way they play the game. They must show it all the time during the game, for every single minute of the game. Each action must be a team action. In football, ego is a dirty a word. Each time a player acts for their own good they grant the opposition a chance to bring the whole team down.

It is not about class or skill or depth. Any team can beat any other team. It comes down to desire, to commitment, to be prepared at all times, with every action on the ground, to do what is right for the team. That is where we are losing our games. It is not about the kicking for goal except when the people having the shots are doing so without ensuring it’s the best option for the team. It is never about the umpiring. Nor about class or speed or nous.

It is about the jumper, the team, the mates you’ve trained with from summer through to spring. It is about understanding that a team, a fully united, fully committed team can achieve anything. Each dive for the ball is a race across the sand, each smother a preparedness to offer cover, each shepherd or tackle, a commitment to put self secondary to the team’s interests. We must create our own soldier culture, our own blue brigade legend.

Do the hard things, the one percenters, and the showcase acts will fall into place. Punch when you should do so, run hard because you must, fill the space because it cannot be given to the opposition, we must never cede ground, centre the ball because it is better for the team, it will create opportunities for others. Do the things that turn  a bunch off 22 players into a great team and the wins will flow as regularly as the Nile floods.

We have the players; we have the support, now we must develop the culture. Not a culture of champions, or stars or those seeking personal accolades. Carlton has never been about the Brownlow or the Coleman or The Mark of the Year, or other such secondary rewards. It has always been about the team’s success.

That is what we supporters want back: That absolute commitment to the team. Give us this and the supporters will give you our voice, our passion, our presence. I remember the teams that seemed smaller, or weaker, or slower, or older, yet these teams were successful because despite their deficiencies they gave their all for the team and 22 players giving it all for the jumper diminishes the deficiencies of each individual, makes the whole far greater than the sum of its parts.

At Carlton we have always understood this. It is time to show we’ve got that understanding back. It is time to show that this team is a Team, will become The Team. Not a collection of players, but a unit, a single entity. Carlton. 

Go Blues!

And all the best for Richard and Family – a true Carlton man whom, as much as anyone, has given this team the chance to shine again come spring. The thoughts of the Carlton faithful are with Richard and his family.

Please Note: the views expressed in the above article are solely the opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the Carlton Football Club or those employees of the Club. The Carlton Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of those supporters who contribute to carltonfc.com.au.