The idyllic surrounds of Keysborough Golf Course proved the perfect backdrop for a gathering of Carlton players at The Spirit of Carlton Past and Present’s annual golf day on Tuesday.
Most of Carlton’s senior list of 2008 were in attendance for the fundraiser, which raised more than $40,000 to assist the current players. Carlton’s No.1 draftee Matthew Kreuzer paired with a fellow Carlton ruckman of yesteryear – the AFL commission chairman, dual premiership captain and triple premiership representative, Mike Fitzpatrick.
Senior coach, former premiership centreman and triple club best and fairest Brett Ratten teamed with Marc Murphy, while 1987 premiership player and current board member Adrian Gleeson joined Jordan Russell.
Other past players in attendance included Jim Buckley, Craig Bradley, Rohan Burke, Stephen Kernahan, Matthew Lappin (sporting a stunning gold jacket acquired when he took out the AFL Players Golf Masters at Huntingdale in January), Mark Maclure, Alex Marcou, Peter McConville, Dennis Munari, Mark Naley (who jetted in from Adelaide in the morning), Chris Pavlou, David Rhys-Jones, Ken Sheldon and Brett Sholl.
A notable presence at the dinner later in the evening was former captain and club best and fairest Ken Hands, a famed member of the Blues’ 1945 and ’47 Grand Final victories, as well as Carlton’s premiership coach of 1968 and ’70, Ron Barassi.
Five-time British Open winner and lifelong Carlton supporter Peter Thomson also attended, as did Carlton captain Chris Judd, CEO Greg Swann and President Richard Pratt.
Guest speaker Andrew McKay – the 1995 premiership defender, former captain and club best and fairest – told the captive audience about what The Spirit Of Carlton meant to him.
“We built on the success of last year’s inaugural golf day and I’ve know doubt this event will continue to grow,” Spirit of Carlton Past and Present spokesman David Rhys-Jones said.
“I spoke to a lot of people afterwards and they all want to be back next year.”
For the record, golf day winners were the group which included Carlton assistant coach Gavin Crosisca, 89-game player Simon Wiggins and triple premiership player Alex Marcou.
Previously the Spirit of Carlton raised funding to fit out the current players’ recreation room with such items as a plasma television, table tennis table and lounge suite, and it also contributed to the fit-out of an ice spa.
Pic: Marc Murphy
