With Darcy Vescio on the cusp of their 100th Carlton game – the first to do so since the formation of the AFLW – it’s appropriate to acknowledge where they fit in the Club’s storied 162-year history, which of course predates the VFL, AFL and AFLW organizations.
In breaking the banner for game No.100 in the First Semi Final with Hawthorn at the old ground, Vescio follows in the footsteps of three former greats, who were similarly the first to 100 Carlton games in their aforementioned competitions – two of them wearing the old blue lace-up with chamois yoke; the third the club’s games record holder.
They are as follows:
‘Billy’ Goer – 100th Carlton senior VFA game - circa 1882
William George Goer was, in the words of one reporter reflecting on his career, “a fearless and dashing back player, an idol of the crowd”. The record bears that out. Through Carlton’s first glory era in the 1870s, few contributed more than the man who held the club’s defensive line.
Born in Hobart and educated at Scotch College, Goer cut his teeth with local sides Carlton Imperial, Carlton United and Prince Alfred before the Blues came calling. At Carlton he soon became an efficient lieutenant and an imposing presence in defence, a role he held well into the 1880s. A four-time Carlton Premiership player, he also earned selection as an interstate representative, and the club marked his service with the presentation of a gold watch.
Goer’s standing was clear to observers of the day. A correspondent for The Footballer , writing in 1878, judged that Goer “fully deserves the encomium of being one of the best backs in the colony; in this position his rare qualities have done the club great service”.
Though matchday records for the time are unfortunately scant, Goer is thought to have completed a career total of more than 200 Carlton games through seasons 1873-1882 and 1888-1889.
Ernie Walton – 100th Carlton senior game (VFL) – Round 7, 1903 v Melbourne, MCG
Born in Geelong in 1875, Alfred Ernest (Ernie) Walton is considered one of the early greats of Carlton’s League history.
A resolute defender renowned for his prodigious place kicks, he was already established as Carlton’s centre half-back and vice-captain when the Navy Blues played their first match in the VFL in 1897. Therefore, he is officially listed as Carlton player number 2, given his role as deputy to Carlton’s captain Jimmy Aitken on that landmark afternoon when the modern history of the club began with a six-goal loss to Fitzroy.
Walton, the club’s first footballer to complete 50 and 100 senior VFL appearances, officiated as captain through 1898 and ’99 and prevailed as a Carlton player until his 120th and final appearance in the 1904 Grand Final when the team again lowered its colours to Fitzroy.
As with Walton in the VFL more than 120 years ago, Vescio becomes the first to represent Carlton in both 50 and (come Saturday night) 100 senior games in the AFLW.
Craig Bradley 100th Carlton senior AFL game - Round 15, 1994 v Brisbane, Princes Park
The first to 100 senior Carlton games since the formation of the AFL in 1990, Craig Bradley wore the No.21 guernsey with distinction at Carlton. A part of that famed South Australian triumvirate, he joined Peter Motley and Stephen Kernahan at Princes Park in the summer of 1985/86.
Seventeen seasons later, his stunning career as one of the game’s truly elite midfielders was complete, and it was rich in both team and individual reward. The team honours were the Premierships of 1987 and 1995. The personal ones were three club best and fairests, the captaincy, All-Australian selection and a place in the Carlton Hall of Fame.
At the time of writing, Bradley remains the club’s games record holder with 375 appearances, ahead of Bruce Doull on 356 – and as with Bruce before him, Bradley let his football do the talking. Make that shouting.
