Tom and Dee Hampson – the parents of Carlton ruckman Shaun Hampson - jetted into Melbourne to see their boy complete his senior debut against the Kangaroos on Saturday – and in the process rub shoulders with the greatest ruckman in Carlton’s history, the legendary John Nicholls.
Tom and Dee were guests of Richard Pratt AC at the Carlton President’s Luncheon at the dome on Saturday, and wasted no time in immersing themselves in the culture of Carlton of which Big Nick is such an integral part.
And everyone from Nicholls – who made his senior debut in 1957 and is acknowledged as the Club’s greatest-ever player - through to No.1 draftee Bryce Gibbs, will be back at The Dome on Thursday to reflect on the premierships of 1907, 1947 and 1987, and to acknowledge the young Carlton players of 2007 and beyond, at the Spirit of Carlton’s Magnificent Seven’s Luncheon.
The Spirit of Carlton Committee - which comprises Jim Buckley, Mike Fitzpatrick, Ken Hunter, Mark Maclure, David Parkin, David Rhys-Jones and Robert Walls – has organised the luncheon as part of its on-going mandate to ensure that those players of today and tomorrow understand the culture of Carlton and what it represents, which is success.
As the Committee has declared: “The Spirit Of Carlton was developed because we believe the players were let down by us and the supporters of the Club over the past six years. The players know they’ve let themselves down too”.
“We just want to help them. We’re not going to leave them alone until they revive the spirit of Carlton for which the Carlton Football Club has been renowned and pass that on to the next generation.
“That is why we want all supporters of the Club to attend the luncheon and play their part in reviving that spirit.”
Carlton’s 1947 premiership heroes including Ken Hands, Alan Greenshields and Fred Stafford – the man who sunk Essendon’s Grand Final hopes with a dramatic match-winning goal – will be in attendance, together with 1987 Norm Smith Medallist and premiership coach David Rhys-Jones, premiership coach Robert Walls and premiership captain Stephen Kernahan.
Recently-appointed interim coach Brett Ratten, one of the most decorated No.7s in Carlton’s history, will also attend the luncheon, while three-time Carlton premiership player and club best and fairest Jim Buckley is to deliver a keynote address about the culture of Carlton and what it means to him.
The Spirit of Carlton concept has been eagerly embraced by today’s players, who are wanting to understand the culture and spirit that was the envy of every other Club in the competition.
Whilst recognising the 1907, 1947 and 1987 premierships, the occasion mainly revolves around 2007 and beyond.
All revenues raised from the event will be put to technological and infrastructure improvements to ensure all Carlton players of today and tomorrow are afforded every possible chance to improve individually and collectively.
