It’s seven years this week that the Irishman Ciaran Sheehan followed Marc Murphy down the race and into his first senior contest for Carlton – the Round 20, 2014 Docklands match with this Saturday’s opponent Gold Coast at the same venue.

At the same time, in what was Carlton’s 2400th League match, Dale Thomas was making history in running out – the former Collingwood Premiership player becoming the one and only player to feature in both 2400th games involving the only two sides to reach this milestone (having run out for the black and whites in game no. 2400, against Richmond in Round 4 of the previous year).

In a contest that was effectively over by the main change, Jarrad Waite and Chris Judd truly excelled – Waite with a five-goal bag up front; Judd with just another three Brownlow Medal votes for his troubles. In the end, the good guys won by 39 points slowing up.

Kade Simpson (30 possessions) Bryce Gibbs (28) and Thomas (27) were also prominent and ‘Gus’ Sheehan impressed on debut - his first six kicks having been delivered with 100 per cent efficiency. Cameron Wood dominated the ruck contests with 38 hitouts and Tom Bell’s four goals set a new PB to steal an Olympic term.

Carlton v Gold Coast - Round 20, Saturday, August 9, 2014, at Docklands Stadium

Carlton 4.2 (26) 11.6 (72) 12.10 (82) 14.13 (97)

Gold Coast 1.1 (7) 4.2 (26) 5.6 (36) 8.10 (58)

Goalkickers: J. Waite 5, T. Bell 4, C. Judd 2, D. Thomas, B. Gibbs, B. McLean 1.

Brownlow Votes

3. Chris Judd (Carlton)

2. Jarrad Waite (Carlton)

1. Tom Bell (Carlton)

The Carlton team

B: 17 Sam Rowe 40 Michael Jamison (DVC) 15 Sam Docherty

HB: 39 Dale Thomas 42 Zach Tuohy 47 Ciaran ‘Gus’ Sheehan

C: 3 Marc Murphy (C) 5 Chris Judd 28 Tom Bell

HF: 13 Chris Yarran 41 Levi Casboult 2 Troy Menzel

F: 43 Simon White 30 Jarred Waite 14 Brock McLean

R: 36 Cameron Wood 4 Bryce Gibbs 44 Andrew Carrazzo (VC)

I/c: 6 Kade Simpson (VC) 35 Ed Curnow 46 David Ellard

Sub: 32 Nick Graham

Coach: Mick Malthouse