http://carltonfc.com.au/Season2007/News ... wsId=38666
[quote]A Winning Trip on and off the field
7 hours, 2 minutes ago | Back
Anthony Koutoufides for Carlton Football Club
News
The focus is always going to be on the result of the game, even in the pre-season NAB Cup, and obviously our victory on Saturday night ensured everyone saw the match as a success for Carlton. And it was, after a sluggish start to the game we were able to get back and play the way we wanted and finish the match with a hard fought victory. I am not sure but it was probably Hawthorn’s first loss at the venue. However the visit to Launceston was more than a success on the field, it was a complete success for Carlton off the field as well.
Before looking at the other successful parts of the weekend it is important to mention the venue, Aurora Stadium. The surface is fantastic and the atmosphere was excellent and the facilities for the players were also good. Add to that the welcome we received from the officials and security staff and the service at Grand Chancellor Hotel where we stayed and you will appreciate why the team felt very comfortable. The one thing that was such a welcome was the outstanding support we received from the crowd at Aurora Stadium. It is Hawthorn’s home away from home and yet Carlton supporters outnumbered Hawthorn supporters at the game. The fact that Hawthorn members had free entry to the game and Carlton members had to pay made this even more impressive from a Carlton viewpoint. Not only did our supporters outnumber their Hawk counterparts but they made so much more noise and not just after the siren but even before the game.
Adding to the success of the weekend visit to Launceston was the unbelievable crowd who stayed around after the siren to meet all the players. I couldn’t believe how many people had waited around to see us after the game and the noise when I joined a number of players who were already in the special area where we were signing autographs and having photos taken was deafening. In fact one of the Club officials had to end his phone call as he couldn’t hear, and the official was still in our change rooms next door. It was wonderful to be around the enthusiastic Carlton supporters who were enjoying a rare visit to Tasmania by the entire Carlton team as well as another positive performance. We stayed with the supporters for over 30 minutes in what was almost a repeat of family day at MC Labour Park the previous Sunday. At one stage the crowd tipped over the table where I was signing and the security had to bring in a barrier to help manage the situation.
This great feeling followed a special moment before the game when Georgia Richardson (7 years old) was our mascot and ran onto the ground with the team prior to the game. This was arranged by “Make A Wishâ€
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