In 1997, on the strength of a kind word from the then Carlton match committee chairman Col Kinnear, Paul Pennisi and his older brother Joe were assigned the lofty task of filming matchday footage for Senior Coach David Parkin.
For the Pennisi boys, whose territorial links with the club were forged in Brunswick years before, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Joe and I have supported Carlton all our lives, and Col Kinnear, who knew our Dad, asked if were happy to work for the Club as video operators for a transitional period from Barry MacDonald,” Paul said.
“We didn’t have to be asked twice.”
For a three-year period through to 1999, the Pennisi boys captured footage on glorious VHS of Carlton players nominated by Parkin.
“On the Friday night before a game, ‘Parko’ used to call my brother and say ‘Joe, I want footage of numbers 14, 16, 18 and 25’ or whatever number it might be. That footage was like a lifeline to him. He really needed it, ” Paul said.
“Sometimes we were instructed to film one player per quarter, or maybe two players for a half each to see how hard they were working. The tapes were then handed over to the coach and the players were called in straight after a game to watch them. The players never knew they were being filmed and when they saw the video afterwards they realised how much harder they had to work.”
There were however exceptions to the rule – as was the case when Simon Beaumont booted a lazy eight in a half against Collingwood, and Anthony Franchina gave Nicky Winmar all manner of grief in a match against St Kilda.
Simon Beaumont is all smiles after booting eight goals in a half against Collingwood. (Photo: AFL Media)
As Paul said: “Both of them were told beforehand that they were being filmed and they didn’t disappoint”.
When the Seven Network secured exclusive broadcast rights to all AFL matches in 1999, the death knell was struck for external cameramen like the fratelli Pennisi.
Not that their love for the old dark Navy Blues ever diminished – and that is why they are amongst the many Carlton former officials, past players and their descendants to have already registered for a much-anticipated reunion to coincide with a barbecue at the old Carlton ground, commencing 9am on Saturday, March 5.
Carlton, in conjunction with the Spirit of Carlton, is extending the invitation to the aforementioned to view a closed training session involving the current-listed footballers under Brendon Bolton’s watch on that day.
The club is also allowing access to the inner sanctum – the locker room - to enable former players to be photographed with their loved ones by the lockers carrying their old guernsey numbers. It will also hold a barbecue at which those who so ably served Carlton can renew their old friendships.
Like so many who gave this club so much, Paul is truly thrilled that Carlton has seen fit to welcome them all back into the fold.
“Even to come back today for the purposes of this interview is just like coming home,” Paul said.
“Joe too is over the moon. When I told him about coming here today he almost broke down. That’s how much Carlton means.”
Paul urges anyone with a unique connection to the club – whether official, past player or descendant – to register for the March 5 reunion at a time when Carlton, both on and off the field, is truly turning the corner.
The Carlton Football Club’s reunion of past players, directors and staffers commences at 9am on Saturday, March 5, to coincide with the training session.
For catering purposes, the club respectfully asks all former players and officials interested in attending with their loved ones to register by filling in the form below:
