This Sunday, the Carlton Reserves will play Coburg in the annual Vicki Cleary Day match at Barry Plant Park.

Vicki Cleary Day, the VFL match hosted each year by the Lions, is played in honour of Vicki Cleary, the sister of Coburg legend Phil, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend on August 26, 1987. 

Sunday will mark nine years since the inaugural match took place against the Club's former VFL affiliate the Northern Blues in 2017. This year's clash will continue to not only honour the women killed by men, but to raise awareness about the extent of violence against women.

Over the past four decades, Phil has been a passionate campaigner in ending violence against women, including showing his support for the Carlton Respects' annual Run for Respect event.

"Her memory lives on through the Vicki Cleary Day football match at Coburg; a day when we stand in solidarity with the women lost to men’s violence and those families impacted by the violence," he said.

"When I coached Coburg to consecutive VFA/VFL premierships in 1988/89, my love of Vicki was my inspiration. Today, Vicki’s story inspires anti-violence campaigners across Australia, and it’s only fitting that Coburg is playing Carlton - given its pioneering role in the anti-violence campaign though Carlton Respects - on Vicki Cleary Day.

"When we stand for that moment’s silence at 12.45pm, I do hope the terraces are bursting with Carlton supporters and young Vicki is smiling."

Carlton will also play in their orange socks synonymous with the Carlton Respects initiative, standing in solidarity against violence towards women.