Members of the Carlton faithful can see their heroes kick to the Heatley Stand end for the very last time when the Blues take on the Western Bulldogs in the NAB Challenge Series match at MC Labour Park on March 7.
With the famous Robert Heatley and George Harris Stands earmarked for demolition later this year as part of a multi-million dollar redevelopment of the venue, supporters have one final chance to pack both to the rafters as Carlton and the Bulldogs battle it out.
This is your chance to be there for the final call of “The Blues are kicking to the Heatley Stand end.” And all 2008 Carlton Members will receive free entry to the match.
The Robert Heatley Stand, officially opened by Alderman Sir William Brunton on Saturday, May 7, 1932, was named in honour of the man who served as Carlton Football Club President from 1901-03 and 1909-1910, and Cricket Club President from 1915-16, and who championed the cause of the ground’s development in the early years.
Built at a cost of approximately £8000, the Heatley Stand accommodated around 1500 people and was described as “a monument to the present rulers and a valuable gift to posterity”. It was also said of the stand that “its massive appearance lends charm to the ground and the surrounding district”.
For more than seventy years, Carlton supporters crammed into the Heatley Stand to watch the likes of Chitty, Deacon, Nicholls, Doull, Kernahan and Koutoufides ply their craft.
Malcolm Blight’s famous/infamous torpedo punt was booted to the Heatley Stand end in Round 10, 1976, while Peter Bosustow completed the mark of the year to the delirium of Heatley Stand onlookers in Round 18, 1981.
Two weeks later, against Essendon, resident AFL Chairman and former Carlton Captain Mike Fitzpatrick was “pinged” by field umpire Ian Robinson for time-wasting, with the Blues grimly defending the Heatley Stand goals.
The George H. Harris Stand, built at a cost of £250,000 (which included a £100,000 loan from the Melbourne City Council), was officially opened in early 1968. Carlton’s strong links with the Melbourne City Council, led by the late Laurie Kerr who made key submissions, enabled the stand to be built by way of a council loan.
The stand served as the bastion for impassioned Carlton members for four decades and was named in honour of the late George Harris, who served the Club as President from 1965-’74 and ’79 - which took in the premiership years of 1968, ’70, ’72 and ’79.
Harris’ funeral service was held on the first floor of the social club bearing his name in December 2007.
NAB Challenge Series match, MC Labour Park
Carlton v Western Bulldogs
Friday, March 7
First bounce: 4.30pm
Gates open: 3:30pm
Free Entry to Carlton and Western Bulldogs Members and AFL Members on presentation of their 2008 Membership card
Club Membership on sale outside the ground
Cost for Non-members:
Adults: $10
Concession: $5
Child U/15: $2
Family: $20
The Carlton Shop will be open and food and refreshments available for this final inter-club match before Carlton kicks off the official 2008 AFL season against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday March 20th.
