1968. I lived next to the great Mr Football Teddy Whitten. So have a guess who I barracked for?

Didn't really follow Aussie rules other than have a kick at school and with Uncle Teddy and Teddy junior, I was more interested in soccer. Didn't barrack for anybody, but our local rag had only Footscray articles and photos.

My mother emigrated to Australia in the late 50's. She was on her own and survial was more important to her than sport. Interestingly she didn't follow sport at all (and still doesn't) but she like Peter Hudson and Carlton FC because they had an aboriginal player and a lot of New Australians Jesaulenko, Silvagni....and thought they were a club that gave people a chance regardless of their background. Other clubs was not quite like that in that era. Protestants vs Catholics, racism against the indigenous Australians etc.

We had a boarder named Sam. He was a Bombers supporter. He tried to convert me, but I was into soccer, and most of my neighbours were Doggies supporters, so I couldn't decide, and didn't.

I didn't like Sam very much. He was a bit arrogant and a know all, and now I understand that's typical of Bombers supporters. He tried to convert me and pteretended to like them.Because of that I guess he got to my cousin.

Anyway, Sam took me to the 1968 GF, and I wanted to barrack for anybody but Sam's team. I saw the Carlton team and they had a really groovy jumper. I wore a T shit with Peace and peace signs printed on it.

Yep, Carlton were lucky that day, and so was I. My team won the Flag in 1968, and the rest is history. Oh yeah, I bashed Carlton into my cousin and today he and his family are mad Carlton fans. You know the type...when there's a few tough guys around from the opposition, he puts them in their place.

The lady who worked in our shop came from a Carlton mad family, and her husband bought me a Social Club membership. He introduced me to Bert Deacon.

My favourite player was John Nichols followed by John Gould and Gary Crane. Jezza became my God in the days following Big Nick's retirement. I particularly liked Swan McKay...a lot, and Brent Crosswell (he broke my heart when he went to the Roos). Geoff Southby and Bruce Doull were big favourites of mine. Percy was much loved by everyone.

Heroes heroes heroes....all in the Dark Navy Blue. Loved SOS, Bradles, Sticks, Dominator, and was in awe of Wayne Harmes as a kid when he won the kicking comp at the MCG....there's so many favourites...Ashman, Keogh, Diesel....Motley breaks my heart thinking about his life.

Kouta was my favourite in the last decade; what a freak. The Ratteb story is a beauty...starting in the U19's and travelling from Lilydale, starting as a BP then....3 time BnF & premiership player.

My favourite player today....that's a hard one, but if I had to pick one it would be Waite. I knew he was going to be amazing and have followed him closely.

Of the new kids on the block, it has to be Kreuzer and Murphy. I really believe Kreuzer will be a super star and will become part of the Carlton folklore.

My first born (now 5) was named Carlton at birth. His God father who I worked with and also lives in Sydney played with the Blues in the early 80's.

Then a few years back, my buddy London Blue who is in the know on a lot of things Carlon despite living in London back then, told me about TC.....you can blame him.

My CFC jumper has "Bondi Beach is Navy Blue" on the back of it. I love wearing my Blues jumper around Bondi; the reaction is quite positive believe it or not.

I love Carlton and doesn't everybody know it!

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Great thread. As a little tacker we lived in St.Kilda and kind of supported them but I had no real allegeance. Our neighbours were a passionate Blues family and together with the 70 GF the force was growing stong with me. As a kid I remember hating, really hating, the Tigers and had some legendary school ground spats with Tiger supporters.

It was great growing up a Blues fan especially the period 78-82. People would ask who you barracked for and I'd just say 'The winners' and they knew you were talking about Carlton. You could be very, very, cocky and arrogant. So many wonderful memories. Magical 3rd quarters that mashed the opposition and stitched the game up, Harmesy tearing up the wing on the Elliott stand side or bursting out of the centre with a 60 metre torp, Marcou's pace, Swan McKay's grace, Catoggio's tricks, Jezza, Fitzy, Pera, the Buzz, Kenny Hunter. One could go on and on.

The bitterness of the Pagan and latter Elliott era certainly brought those days into sharp focus but we have well and truly turned the corner now and there are some bright days ahead.

My grandparents on my mothers side purchased a house in Walton Street Brunswick in the early 1900's. The family has supported Carlton ever since. My earliest recollections of supporting Carlton are hearing the roar of the crowd from Princes Park on game day when I was a toddler. Later on I remember watching Big Nick line up to kick a goal (on the Channel 7 delayed telecast) and knew he kicked the goal because of the roar from the crowd before we saw him kick it on the screen.

On my fathers side of the family, they all lived in Coburg and were all mad Blues. A cousin on dads side played for Carlton u19 and reserves and was highly regarded until he broke his leg quite badly.

I remember some bleak times when we were not too successfull, but John James Brownlow was a highlight.

Even living in Collingwood territory in the Zoning years (Hamilton in Western Victoria) did not detract from our true blue heritage. When I was a youngster I was invited to train with Collingwood (when Bobby Rose was coach) but had to discontinue attending training as when I went to Melb I was living in Brunswick with my grandparents who refused to talk to me on training nights. They just could not contemplate a grandson playing for the enemy. (Well , thats my excuse for not making it.)

I have continued to be a blues supporter whilst living in Darwin, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek and back in Darwin. One highlight for me was playing in a premiership team in Alice Springs coached by a Blues 1968 premiership player, Bill Bennett. I wish I had played under Bill earlier in my footy career as he was a big influence on my appoach to footy and other aspects of life. He had a similar influence on many other younger West Alice Springs players.

Despite being married to a Bombers supporter, all my 4 kids have been indoctrinated into the Blues cause. All 9 grandkids are members, but one is a closet Essendon* supporter because of his grandmother. He has been cut out of my will until he comes to his senses.

One of my fondest memories of supporting Carlton involved some pain a well as euphoria. In 1995 I lived in Tennant Creek NT. A mate of mine was a very successful coach of my old team St Marys in Darwin. (John Taylor) He was working temporarily in Tennant Creek at a comonwealth govt department and used to visit on Saturday afternoons to watch the footy wih me. John was and is a mad Geelong suporter (having played u19 and seconds under Billy Goggin) John took great delight in watching the two games that we lost that year, giving me heaps about losing to the two bottom sides. It was sweet to sit with him watching us demolish the Cats in the GF.

Turning 60 next month I am hopeing that I see a few more Blues Premierships. My grandfather from Brunswick soldiered on until he was 109 and saw the majority of our pemierships. With the current crop of blues players, I am looking forward to a few more soon.


Go the MIGHTY BLUES IN 2010

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“Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile a way and you have their shoes."

I am originally from Denmark and met my wife on a business trip in Melbourne in 1994. She and her whole family are passionate Blues supporters and during visits in early 95 I was introduced to the Blues including the blockbuster game against Richmond at a full G during the 95 season. I was at the time still learning to understand the game when an opportunity arose to move to Melbourne through my work. I had to start my new job on 1 October and the flights were booked for the last Saturday in September. I sold my car and flat and send my belongings by container.


So one week before the big move I received a phone call from my then fiancé telling me she was not able to pick me up from the airport! Carlton had made it to the GF and she would not miss it even so I was to arrive – talking about getting your priorities right….. So I changed my flight which meant some hours wait in Bangkok and an evening arrival instead of afternoon.


When I arrived at Melbourne airport after a 36 hours journey, my fiancé waited for me in full Carlton gear, got me into her car and drove directly out to Princess Park to the victory party. I was completely exhausted wondering how important this “footy” thing was while falling asleep standing up at the bar in the social club……


I have been a member since and of course learnt to love the game and the Blues and have always regretted that I did not arrive earlier and missed us winning the flag. I am now at least as passionate about the Blues as she is and my highlight so far has been the preliminary final of 99. I cannot wait for our young list to deliver number 17 as I really want to experience the joy and excitement of winning the flag.

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

You just bathe in bliss for weeks....it's a blur a buzz a fantastical event....to just know how the boys are feeling and to know it was all worth while for them....arrrrggg *fight back tears*

I can't wait either mikkey

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The problem will be made. for the solution to be sold, to your face before your eyes, tolerance is now the new danger

Didn't they live next door to Neil Armstrong?

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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

Nah - that was the Gorskys.

I think the Hookers were at number 69...

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Not sure if it has been told before, but a potted history:
[*]Am one of nine kids in a very Irish Catholic family;
[*]Emigrated from the Emerald Isle to Australia in January 1973;
[*]Like a slow creeper (of a joint), the footy bug got hold of me when I was @ boarding school for the deaf in Ballarat in 1973;
[*]The boys in the family followed the Baggers because my eldest brother came home from his day @ school @ St. Joseph's Primary School (Mildura) and when asked by Mum how his day was, John replied with, "Caaarrrltonnnn, Caaaaarrlltonnnn, ra, ra, ra";
[*]The aforementioned school was mostly populated by children of Italian families and they all followed the mighty Blues- despite being in a Richmond recruiting zone. To make it even sweeter, we had just finished off the Tiges in '72! ;
[*]Footy and Carlton took me into its lifelong (and loving) embrace from 1978 onwards- mm, the memories of 78-82 linger on. Even today, I will talk in passing with Tony (my other brother) about that period. Especially the flags and the premiership quarters......... The '90s were pretty good also, even though I was chasing some skirt @ uni!
[*]I didn't become a fully-fledged member of the CFC until we hit really hard times in 2002 onwards; a source of mixed feelings because whilst I'm glad I was there when CFC struggled, I regret not having been a member earlier........
[*]Whilst living in Ireland and as a consequence, worked in London during the summer holidays in 1985, I went to Australia House during the week, just to catch up on the VFL news and Carlton. I remember doing a jig after I read on the pinboard inside the shopfront at Australia House Carlton had thrashed the Bombers @ PP, for the 1st time in five years.
[*]An unexpected highlight of being a Blues' fanatcic has been to connect with other like-minded souls on TC!

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Be positive to all those @ TC- the wait is almost over!

I can remember going to a Carlton v Richmond game with family friends circa mid 50's as a 5/6 year old, entering the ground through Royal Parade. The only other thing I remember is an old bloke selling peanuts from a big hession bag. The ground looked so big and bright when I was young but I don't think I saw very much standing in the outer. That's how it started and the team wasn't much good until Barassi switched across from Melbourne.

The peanut man!

His memory's highjacked a few threads over the years...

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Circa 70-72..............

first floor lounge room.......at 20 Canning st Carlton.........watching Saturday night
replay..........i'm about 6-8.......my 17 year old cousin Stan (may he
Rest In Peace) walks in..........!

Stan......."ah the football's on.......who do you barrack for son"......?

me........."nobody really"..........!

Stan.........."well you barrack for Carlton now"..........!

me......."ok".........!


done........!


kindest regards tommi













hey Stan............?












thanks brother...........!

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

So he's your cousin and your brother?

Does that mean your aunty's your mother?

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

HEY............

go sit on a garlic crusher you inner city Carlton snob...........!


kindest regards tommi

















........................................................................................................................ ..............!

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

Sore point eh tommi...

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Yup...........

you KNOW i've had no success with garlic crushers Gee Dubya...........!


kindest regards tommi














anyone here sell a good garlic crusher..............?

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

GREAT thread VB!

Anyway, I was a 6 year old lad in Hobart, and it was Grand Final day 1982. We had a kid at school who was a big Carlton fan. He was a bit of a ruffin'... loved the group Kiss and 'famously' had his mouth washed out with soap by the teacher when he said 'bl00dy' once too. So he had cred. And the day before the GF he went around telling everyone he was a Carlton supporter, and encouraging the rest of us to barrack for them too.

Then it came game day, and I started to watch the game. I saw Bruce Doull's headband and I fell in love. Seriously, who could not barrack for a guy who was that cool? That head band is the greatest thing I ever saw on a footy field. Halfway through the game my parents decided to go out and about. Neither of them were big footy fans (mum has a soft spot for Carlton now, and dad doesn't get into footy that much), and they took me down to the Hobart docks where they bought some Tassie scallops. Of course, the fisherman struggled to serve dad because he was too busy glued to the tv. Eventually dad got the scallops and came back to the car. He said to mum all he could hear the guy saying was 'c'mon Carlton'. It was at this point that I said the words that can never be taken back. I said 'dad, I barrack for Carlton'.

And from that time it was set in stone. The harder issue was converting my little sister who at various times in the mid to late 1980's flirted with Hawthorn and Essendon*. In the end, the combined presence of Ron de Iulio and Ang Christou helped win her over. Today she is probably more fanatical than me.

Go Blue boys!

Hey, tommi...I thought your story was poignant.or was that Sidney Poitier...or...anyway...

ps/There was once a good horse called bone crusher...but i don't know if he knew much about garlic..
still...a little under the hoof maybe?

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

My older brother goes for the filth.

That might have something to do with it.

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THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.

Yeah, I knew it was the Gorskys. Just a) thought it would be funny; and b) wanted to see if you'd get the reference (knew you would, btw......).......

_________________
Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

It all started pretty badly for me, I was born into a family full of Bummer supporters, parents, siblings, Aunts Uncles, the lot.
But thank goodness at the impressionable age of 7-8 in '81-'82 Carlton won 2 flags in a row.
Well in my mind any team that could do that were worth barracking for and despite considerable pressure from family I have never looked back since !!

Soon after a family friend gave me a duffle coat with a Blues badge and the No 9 on the back. Kenny Hunter instantly became my favourite player. Later I bought a Blues footy jumper and put SOS' No 1 on the back, I was later happy to keep it in support of 1AW.
Other players I have admired have been Wayne "Dominator' Johnston, Diesel Williams, Kouta, Peter Dean.

Moving to Adelaide in '99 from Kyabram I became starved of news of Carlton in the papers and on the news and turned to the net for more info, hence me joining a number of Carlton related forums. The training reports and 'inside news' that Cazz and others provide is gold for someone who passionately loves the Blues but lives(now in Qld) a long long way from where all the action is !!

My worst moment as a supporter was losing the '93 GF. Having a family full of Scum supporters I copped a lot of flack. The '99 prelim made up for it though !!

My best moment was the whole '95 season, in my mind we had the premiership in the bag from about rnd 6 and I savoured every game and moment from then on. Losing to Sydney and St Kilda was a bit of a shock, but I never lost faith.

The recent 'dark' years have been hard to take for someone who had been so used to success before then, but I now have great faith that No 17 is not far away and that we will once again become the strong arrogant club that I barracked for and knew so well as a kid !!

GO BLUES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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1. Walker,
2. Menzel,
3. Murphy,
4. Gibbs,
5. Judd.