FRIDAY night at the MCG sees Patrick Cripps lead his players down the race and into game no.150 as Carlton captain – and with every good wish from the Club’s longest-serving leader, Stephen Kernahan.

With 226 games to his name as captain through 11 seasons (including the 1987 and ’95 premiership seasons), Kernahan’s good name is inextricably linked with Carlton – and what he wouldn’t give to see Northampton’s own experience the ultimate on-field success.

“Patrick’s from a good farming family, he has empathy for people and he loves the Club,” Kernahan said.

“I also know how much he wants a premiership. He has two Brownlows and I reckon he’d give them both up for a flag.”

Notwithstanding the premierships, Kernahan’s glorious Carlton playing resume is unparallelled – 251 games for three Best and Fairests and 11 consecutive seasons as leading goalkicker; along with most career goals (738) – which has, in turn, earned him Hall of Fame Legend status and the captaincy of the Team of the 20th Century.

As Carlton’s joint No.1 ticketholder with Leisel Jones, Kernahan will be on hand at the MCG on Friday night to see  his old team take on Collingwood – one of the two outfits alongside Essendon the Blues always had to beat, as he was so often reminded in his playing days.

As Kernahan said of the impending contest: “We need to fly the flag for our 100,000 members”.

Whatever eventuates on Friday night, Kernahan is adamant that the Cripps will lead from the front, as history has taught him so.

“Patrick Cripps is a great leader, a great player, and he has a lot of football left in him,” Kernahan said.

“It’s been 10 years of excellence from him and I’ve lost count of how many times he’s picked this group up on his own. I’ve seen it happen a lot.”