LATE last year, Carlton’s 11 newest players were awarded their guernseys as they prepare for life as Blues.

Moving on to the No.43 guernsey, we look at the players who have made the guernsey what it is, and what's to come for the incumbent. 

Honour the past

By the numbers
Number of representatives: 6
Average games played: 115.3
Games record holder: Anthony Koutoufides — 278 games
Best and fairest wins: Two — 2001, 2005
Premiership players: Three (Six premierships)
100-game players: Two
Hall of Fame members:

Famous faces
A guernsey number which is rich with history at the Carlton Football Club. Whether it was the ‘Swan’ or ‘Kouta’, two Hall of Famers made the No.43 their own.

Starting with David McKay, the four-time premiership player could do it all, whether it was down back, up forward or in the ruck.

He was voted best-on-ground in Carlton’s famous premiership win of 1970, before winning flag No.4 in 1981: a game where he kicked a goal with his last kick in football.

Fast forward to Carlton’s Adonis at the turn of the millenium. A two-time best-and-fairest winner, captain of the Club and now a Carlton and AFL Hall of Famer, there wasn’t much which Anthony Koutoufides didn’t accomplish.

His performance in the 1995 Grand Final was memorable, and he could’ve been a Norm Smith Medallist if not for Greg Williams.

Then, 20 years ago this year, he produced possibly the best individual performance the game has seen. Koutoufides against Essendon in the 1999 Preliminary Final is still spoken about today.

Own the future

New custodian

Carlton’s faith in Will Setterfield has been evident, even before he became a Blue in the off-season.

Dating back to 2016, the Blues have been fans of the big-bodied midfielder, bidding on him back in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft with pick No.5.

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Will Setterfides. #BoundByBlue

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Now at Carlton, the star midfield junior will be intent on making up for lost time in the AFL, with an ACL injury ruling out his 2018. The 190cm midfielder will form part of the Blues’ midfield foundations for years to come.

And with the No.43 on his back, Setterfield — or Will ‘Setterfides’, as he’s been dubbed — has a lot of Carlton history behind him.

Honour the past series

No.11 - Mitch McGovern
No.13 - Liam Stocker
No.18 - Sam Walsh
No.24 - Nic Newman
No.32 - Alex Fasolo
No.37 - Ben Silvagni
No.38 - Finbar O’Dwyer
No.40 - Tomas Bugg