The Spirit of Carlton luncheon attracted more than 700 guests and many more memories for Carlton supporters fortunate to attend the day. There were many Carlton premiership players in attendance with many being back in the Carlton fold for the first time in many years. BlueTube on CFC TV took the opportunity to catch up with a number of Carlton premiership players to discuss what the Spirit of Carlton meant to them as well as to find out what they are now doing.

 Brett Ratten: click here to watch the video
 Geoff Southby: click here to watch the video
 Bill Bennett: click here to watch the video
 Mark Maclure: click here to watch the video
 Richard Dennis: click here to watch the video

Tune back as we add more Spirit of Carlton video

Spirit of Carlton – Some Highlights

Drew Morphett summed it up well in his introduction to the day when he said he was almost frightened to be on stage looking out at over 700 Carlton people. The reason he was almost frightened was because of the success that was in the room, not just the obvious premiership success but the business success that is Carlton and the great Carlton champions that were in the room. Success and Carlton went together and he said it was apparent looking down at the guests at the Spirit of Carlton luncheon.

Drew was also spot on when he spoke about the team, the Carlton team. As he pointed out, Carlton has only had four Brownlow Medallists and only once has a Carlton player kicked 100 goals in a season. And while Carlton has had some of the greatest champions to ever player the game, the Carlton Football Club is not about individual success it is about the team. It is as a team that Carlton is and has been successful.

Drew Morphett

As for David Rhys-Jones he was reflecting on his $5,000 fine received late in the 1987 season. He was convinced that some of Carlton’s wealthier supporters would ensure he was compensated for the fine that he paid to the AFL, particularly after winning the Norm Smith Medal in the 1987 Grand Final. However he soon realised it was not going to happen when he reminded then President John Elliott of the fine at the Blues Premiership Dinner on Grand Final night.  Elliott simply looked at Rhys-Jones and said, “Money couldn’t buy this happiness”.

David Rhys-Jones

The other interesting sideline from the 1987 Grand Final victory was from coach Robert Walls who told the story about leaving for the MCG for the game. He always went to the game on his own but on this day his son Daniel, then six years of age, was adamant he was going to the game with his Dad. After much discussion and a couple of diversionary tactics he finally got into the car to leave by himself but Daniel was soon in the driveway insisting he join his Dad in the car. With this Robert said he drove out of his driveway before Daniel could get in the car. And the last thing he heard from his six year old son as he left for the MCG for the Grand Final – “I hope the Hawks kill you”.