Former Club Captain Lance Whitnall and his wife Rhiannon were special guests of the Club for the Carlton home game against Sydney at The Dome on Sunday. Lance and Rhiannon enjoyed the President’s function before watching the game with other guests from outside the Limelight Room.

Whitnall played 216 games for Carlton between 1997 and 2007, winning the John Nicholls Medal (Carlton Best & Fairest Award) in 2006 and was the Club Captain in his last season.

“Big Red (Lance) was a wonderful player for Carlton and I was fortunate to play a season with him in 1997 when he made his debut as a 17 year-old. He had a tremendous career and endured some very tough years when our Club was at a very low point in our history. It is a pity that injury forced him out of the game and that he has not been able to continue his career and be a part of a more successful side,” said Carlton Interim President Stephen Kernahan.

“Over 200 games, Club Captain, Best & Fairest winner, three-time pre-season premiership player, All Australian and a Life Member of the Carlton Football Club, that is a fine record,” Kernahan added.

Whitnall was drafted to Carlton as a Father/Son selection in the 1996 ALF National Draft and was the 1013th player to represent Carlton in the AFL. It was appropriate that he see his former team-mate Jarrad Waite play his 100th game on Sunday. Jarrad is the 46th youngest person to reach the 100 game milestone at Carlton, Lance Whitnall is the youngest.

Retired from AFL, Lance is now playing with Lalor in the Northern Football League, the club where his football commenced as a junior.