David Parkin has graciously gifted the Carlton Football Club a series of essential documents circulated amongst the playing group through the club’s last Premiership season of 1995.
Included in the collection is the ’95 mission statement, team rules, pre-game reminders and the coach’s famous “In Retrospect” debrief of Grand Final day - Saturday, September 30, versus Geelong.
“You don’t always get what you deserve in football, both from an individual and team point of view. But the 1995 season has been the best example of ‘preparation equalling performance’,” Parkin wrote.
“It started in February with a ‘mission statement’. ‘Our mission is to win the 1995 Premiership by playing at our best in all games, especially interstate’.
Carlton's Coach of the Century, David Parkin, with the papers. (Photo: Carlton Media)
“The necessary behaviours essential for the successful completion of that mission were underlined. Constant reminders, modifications and re-assessments took place, as we maintained a short-term focus week by week.”
Parkin and Stephen Kernahan, the coach and captain of Carlton’s Team of the 20th Century respectively, were invited to the club this week to share their considerable football and life experiences with first and second-year players at Ikon Park.
Parkin’s documents will now find a welcome home in the Carlton Football Club archive.
