It will be Thornton’s 188th match for the Blues, eclipsing the previous record of 187 matches he shared with 1938 premiership player, Bob Green.
Thornton made his debut in round 10, 2002 against Fremantle at Subiaco after being elevated from the Rookie list. He joined Carlton from Mt Waverley Blues via Oakleigh U18s, with the Blues first round selection, number 11 overall in the 2002 Rookie Draft.
His name is on the number 32 locker at Visy Park beneath previous players to wear number 32 in 100 or more games for Carlton: Alex Duncan, Bob Green, Bryan Quirk and David Glascott. Green, Quirk and Glascott are also Carlton premiership players in the number 32 guernsey, along with 1995 premiership player Adrian Whitehead.
Thornton played for Vic Metro in the 2001 Under 18 Australian Championships and three other players involved in that carnival also have their names on lockers at Visy Park in honour of playing 100 games for Carlton. Chris Judd on locker number 3 (Vic Metro), Jarrad Waite on locker number 30 beneath his late father Vin (Vic Country) and Andrew Carrazzo on locker number 44 (Vic Metro).
In June this year Terry Green, the son of 1938 Premiership player and former games record holder for the Blues number 32, Bob Green, visited Visy Park and caught up with Bret Thornton.
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