WHEN IT comes to the merits of using your standing in football for the greater good, there are few better people to talk to than Dennis Armfield.

On the field, Armfield produced 145 games of pure heart-and-soul football in the Navy Blue, forging a reputation as one of the clear-cut cult heroes for the modern Carlton supporter. However, it was his work away from the game which only elevated his standing in the eyes and hearts of supporters.

It’s why the 2015 Jim Stynes Award winner is “very proud” of the work his club continues to embark on with the Carlton Respects initiative.

Armfield’s final two years at the football club coincided with the first two seasons of Carlton Respects, and its effects have left a lasting impression on the former Blue.

“When the Club launched Carlton Respects, having Kristy McKellar come out and talk and listening to her story, as well as hearing Kate Jenkins speak as well — the passion these ladies had to create change was inspiring,” Armfield said.

“Some of the stats that were shared, which aren’t getting better, really hit home. My wife, my new-born daughter when she grows up, other women that I know: they can’t walk by themselves, and even worse some aren’t safe in their own homes.

“It all starts with respect and it all starts with disrespect. I’m no saint and we all make mistakes, but it’s about being able to pull ourselves, educate ourselves and learn.

“I know so many people from my Carlton days that are extremely passionate about this. It makes me very proud, especially considering that I had the honour to be part of the Club when it first started.”

Dennis and Abby Armfield became parents for the first time eight months ago, welcoming daughter Steele into the world.

Already so passionate about the ideals which represent the foundation of Carlton Respects, it was a moment of awakening when Armfield officially became a ‘girl dad’.

Wanting to see his daughter and everyone around her grow up in a safer world, Armfield said it was imperative to continue to challenge, and above all continue to learn.

“Don’t accept the little things: we accept what we walk past, and I don’t want to walk past this,” he said.

“As a man, I want to try and create change, even if it’s just in my community and my surroundings. I ask questions, I ask about women’s experiences and how they feel and what they’ve come across and how, as men, we can change and grow and learn for triggers and watch out for these things.

“I see some great programs, like the Carlton Respects program going into school and educating young men and young boys.”

Having spent his entire football career trying to use his profile for good, Armfield is the perfect example of why football shouldn’t just stick to football.

With multiple Australian states in lockdown this weekend, Armfield was insistent on the merits of what football can do for society, and how those involved with the game can use their standing to drive positive change.

“To take it away from simply the Carlton Respects initiative for a second, there’s a lot of debate about the AFL still going with lockdowns and everything: being out in the community, you understand what this sport provides for so many people, with their wellbeing, connection and all of these avenues,” he said.

“So many people thrive and live for the weekend to roll around and live for their club. The passion and the sense of belonging - whatever you belong to, when it’s bigger than yourself - is so powerful.

“Having Carlton Respects and having the Club lead from the front in this is vitally important. Having clubs do things in the community is vitally important.

“My career was something that that I knew I could create some change off the back of it, because - rightly or wrong - people will accept your help. I have a brand, I have a name in the community and I wan to be able to use that for good, to create change and to educate people and raise awareness for the topics that don’t get the attention they deserve.”