THE No.11 guernsey is amongst the most coveted at Carlton. Flick the history book’s yellowing pages back to the wartime years and you’ll find that the number was worn with distinction by the centreman of renown Rod McGregor, this club’s first 200-game player.

Fast forward to 1938 and you’ll find the No.11’s wearer Jack Hale was best afield in the ’38 Grand Final. Post war, there’s the Team of the Century’s Laurie Kerr, Premiership players John Goold and Earl Spalding… oh, and one Alexander Bruce Doull, a more revered football figure you won’t find.

The significance of the No.11 is not lost on its current keeper, Mitch McGovern - particularly in respect of B. Doull, who first ran out for Carlton’s seniors 50 years ago.

In a segment on this week’s edition of The Two Tones, McGovern revealed that he was mindful of the legacy Doull had left with his on-field deeds through 18 seasons and 356 matches – most of them with the No.11 on his back.

“I haven’t met him (Doull), but it is a lifelong dream of mine to meet him and it’s half the reason I wanted to wear the No.11,” McGovern said.

“I’ve seen footage of him playing, but my old man who played footy spoke so highly of him and the way he went about playing the game. I look up to him a fair bit.”

For the record, McGovern’s father Andrew represented Sydney in 20 senior matches from 1992-1993 and a further 63 for Fremantle from 1995-1998.

As Mitch readily admitted, he too has significantly impacted his football: perhaps a tad more directly.

As McGovern said: “He (Dad) has been a massive influence on me . . . his opinions of players and the way he thinks footy should be played fell upon me.”

McGovern has run out just six times for Carlton — but the previous keepers of the No.11 can rest easy, knowing that the number has again found a good home.