Carlton players past and present answered the rallying call of former runner Bobby Lowrie on Thursday to attend the inaugural Spirit of Carlton Golf Classic at Keysborough Golf Club in Melbourne's south-east.
Lowrie put the event together with a group of concerned past players late last year in an effort to rekindle the spirit at the club in a non-political way that they felt had become dormant in recent times.
Carlton greats such as Robert Walls, David Rhys-Jones, Greg Williams, Craig Bradley, Brett Ratten, David Glascott, Mark Naley, David McKay and former coach David Parkin were present with all funds raised on the day going towards upgraded training facilities for the current players.
"It's a great day, everybody's pumped and it's been a good couple of weeks for Carlton and we've got to keep the roll going," Williams said shortly before he teed off.
"There's no issue with the past players. They're all right behind the team and the club. We've just got to stick together and support all the players there at the moment because I'm sure with the right development, they'll improve over the next couple of years."
Williams applauded the initiative that steered well clear of the board room and concentrated on raising the morale of the current playing group which has had to contend with a difficult period for the club.
"It's been the worst time in the club's history, but I'm sure with their (high) draft picks they'll come good in the next few years and we'll be a really serious side," Williams said.
"Carlton have obviously won a lot of premierships, but the last one we won was in '95, so it's been too long. We've just got to try and get number 17; that's the big goal for Carlton.
"It has been difficult (to watch), but I was with the Swans when we finished last. I've been in good teams and bad teams, so I know what goes on. It's just really difficult with the draft. Carlton haven't done very well over the last 10 years, maybe longer, but they're getting better at it. We've (had) good picks and we're going to have a good list.
"It won't be an easy year still, but the kids will gradually mature and will be better players in a couple of years and that's what we need."
Glascott - himself a triple-premiership player - echoed Williams' sentiments.
"It's not meant to be political at all in terms of supporting one person or another - it's got nothing to do with that - it's just trying to raise some money to give to the players," he said.
"We wanted it to go direct to the players so they can use it in the best way they see fit. It's just a way of giving something back with the past players saying, 'look we support what you're doing, we're behind you all the way and let's keep going'.
"It's been pretty difficult to watch what's been going on, but 2007 seems to be going alright in terms of the pre-season and we're looking forward to a pretty good year I think."
