PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD POSITIVE - THERE'S PLENTY OF OTHER PLACES TO VENT YOUR SPLEEN



Lance's debut against Essendon* at the 'G in front of 80 odd thousand is a favourite of mine, and his massive goal in the '99 prelim.

Thanks for the memories Lance, all the best for your retirement.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

*post edited for failing to follow the above*

The game against the doggies at PP he kicked 8.

The 99 goal against Essendon* will never forget

Another Essendon* game at the MCG took 20 Marks

does anyone else remember him winding the clock down against the bombers

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

In case you missed it the first time.

The game against the Bulldogs is a standout for me.

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"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." - Gene Hill

It was a night game against the Dons a few years ago [2003?] when we were pretty much done and dusted and I remember him playing a major role in the second half and had Fletcher running in circles.

We ended up winning by about 3pts or something.

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

That goal in the 1999 Prelim a long last memory

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SMFC 1959 : ONE LIFE, ONE LOVE, ONE CLUB

I was first level, three rows back directly in front of lance when he kicked that MONSTER in the 99 prelim. When he turned around to the crowd with his arms in the air, I could have sworn he was looking at us going beserk in the crowd...

I will never forget that moment from Lance.

Or the game in Brissy in 2000 when Jarrod Molloy had run his mouth all week about how he wanted first cracked at Lance blah blah blah...

Well Lance kicked either 4 or 5 in the first quarter on his way to 9 for the day in a 15 goal pumping (or thereabouts).... awesome display from him and the entire team.

His 2000 season was sensational where he was one of the best players in the comp.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

*post edited for failing to follow the above*

Obviously someone missed it the second time as well.

Lance has always been one of my favourites, and the most obvious best memory for me is that 99 Prelim goal. What a beauty!

Good luck for your future Whits.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-Kxp-vzdDPQ

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pPQteCV04jw

yeah that's probably my favourite moment besides the 99 goal in the last.

8 against Footscray 1998. We were dead set underdogs and pumped them - never looked like losing. Big Red starred that day. He had that ability to kick a bag in his prime.

I'm so sorry it had to end this way but there was good cause, I suppose.

Good luck in the future.

Here's the stats link: http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/1998/CAWB19980725.html

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1945 - End of round 3 Carlton was last.

Last round Carlton made the final four for the first time.

Eventual premiers.

That's what I'm talking about!

The game against the Lions in 2000 when he booted 9 is probably the standout for me. Of course THAT goal in the '99 PF stands out.
Ultimately, he's the victim of his own lack of discipline.

All the best for the future Lance.

We all recall 99, for sure. What I loved most about that goal was that he didn't want to kick it initially. He was looking to dish it off and the look on his face was "Crumbs, I'm going to have to kick it myself. I don't want to but I have to, so here we go, give it my best shot." And he gave it everything, and it didn't look like missing. Prieceless.

And his dance afterwards with the fingers in the air like he was really giving it to anyone who would defy or deny him. It was rapturous. And with Drew Morphett exclaiming "You've got to be on the Blues now," which only added to it.

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1945 - End of round 3 Carlton was last.

Last round Carlton made the final four for the first time.

Eventual premiers.

That's what I'm talking about!

It's a cliche, but his football brain was one of the best in the business and arguably better than Hird's when he was at his best. He reminded my father of Nicholls with the way he used to set up play, direct traffic and even tell more experienced teammates where to run in games. Lance reading the player faster than his opponents and running into space ahead of everyone on the ground defied logic.

The four goals he kicked on that sniper Wallis in his first game and the last snap on the siren were brilliant.

Carey said Whitnall should have named at CHF in the 2000 All Australian side instead of on the bench.

Hamill needed Whitnall as much as Lance needed him.

It's fitting that they retired in the same year.

99 Prelim Goal
2000 Season
9 v Lions
8 v Doggies

Can't remember who it was against but there was an occasion where he was being shepherded and somehow managed to not only wrap up the ball carrier but the shepherder as well.

Another occasion I remember that really illustrated to me how he really did have that much celebrated "football brain" was him trailing his opponent to the ball which was set to pitch a few steps in front. Lance suddenly changed direction, the ball bounced on it's end and flew at right angles into Whitnall's hands leaving his opponent 2-3m away bewildered.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

That day back in 2001 out at Optus Oval when it was pissing down with rain and we were taking on the Crows. It was the week after we beat Essendon* on that Friday night with our reserves side in.

Anyway, Riccuito lines up at Full Back on Lance at the Heatly Stand end. The siren sounds, the ball gets thrown up, Roo turns to Lance picks him up and bodyslams him giving him concussion. Free kick paid to Lance. Gingerly slots through the goal.

My point is while he is worth next to nothing anymore, there was a time back in the day when Lance was worth a lot to the side and for someone like Mark Riccuito to specifically target him like that meant that he was seen as a danger man for Carlton back in 2001.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24