I've often wondered what influence Stephen Scott Kernahan would have had on the Carlton Football Club had he arrived at the club shortly after he signed with the Blues....30 years ago in 1981. At 18 and as skinny as a rake, 'Sticks' may well have struggled with the balancing act of partying hard and playing harder, and also the strict training regime of new coach David Parkin...but... what if...?

I've no doubt Parko would have loved the teenage Sticks. Would his development been fast-tracked playing in a higher grade? Would Parkin have played him? In the Reserves, Carlton was well represented in 1981 with senior players in Barry Armstrong, Jim Buckley, Wayne Johnston, Kevin Heath and young David Glascott having regular stints in the magoos under Captain Trevor Keogh and Coach Serge Silvagni. Up forward, Carlton didn't have a great deal of firepower. Tasmanian Robert Dutton kicked more than a few each week, but there was easily room for a young Kernahan to slot in on a forward pocket or half-forward flank. Finishing with an 11-11 record, the Blues missed the finals - finishing 6th.

The following season on 1982 saw Ross Ditchburn come over the Nullabor. He played 13 of the first 15 games in the Reserves before cementing his spot in the 1sts and with Peter Bosustow also in the mix, would go on to win a Premiership Medal. Gavin Exell was a likely type, yet at 21 and having moved down from Bendigo - could never find the consistency that new coach Bryan Quirk desired. Again the Blues had nothing up forward in the reserves and when Mark Buckley was demoted - full-forward was his. That must have been very enjoyable for a specialized wingman.

So what of Kernahan at this time? The heartache of a thrashing at the hands of Port Adelaide in the '81 Grand Final, where the game was all but over at quarter time could have been all too much for some - and for any other kid in Adelaide, they might have been tempted to see if the grass was greener on the other side of the fence. However Sticks had made a pact and was hell bent on honouring his father’s wishes - that he would only transfer across to Carlton after Glenelg had won a flag.

A 20 year old Stephen Kernahan was exactly what Carlton needed in 1983. Sticks tore the SANFL competition a new one and had it not been for a one-game suspension, would have won the Magarey Medal. Back in Victoria, all Carlton fans were now aware of Stephen Kernahan. He'd kicked 3 in a 9-goal rout against the Vics and followed it up by taking screamers against WA...he was named in the best players on both occasions. Now that he was on our TV's in our lounge rooms, we were able to put a face to the name and confirm what Shane O'Sullivan had told Wes Lofts when witnessing Sticks as a schoolboy in 1979...'I think I've found the next Royce Hart'.

As most of you know, in 1983 we were average. Having snuck into the 5 we were ousted by Essendon* and severely lacked forward firepower. Ken Hunter kicked 43 to win the goalkicking, and for the next few years, the Bombers and Hawks dominated the competition. With no Glenelg win, Warren Ralph was recruited from WA for 1984...he kicked 55 in his first year, but by 1985 was playing poorly.

I wonder if anyone else was like me...in Monday's 'Sun' I'd turn straight to the sports results page next to the obituaries to see if Glenelg won.

Would Sticks have had an influence? I'm convinced he would have. By the age of 20 he was already a star. He was Glenelg Best and Fairest winner in 1983, 1984, 1985, Leading goalkicker in 1983 and '84. And who could forget that night in 1984 when he made Bruce Doull look like Bruce Lindner? And in 1984/85 with only Mark Maclure as a recognised forward - it was little wonder we were losing 7-10 games a season and bowing out in elimination finals.

And who's to say if it wouldn't have had a difference in the 1986 Grand Final? Whatever our thoughts of course - we'll never know. Glenelg fans are forever indebted he stayed. Some Carlton fans wonder what would have happened had he arrived a few years earlier than he did. What if...?

Judging by this footage from 1981, while he may have struggled getting into the 1981 and 1982 teams, he would have been perfect for us from 1983 onwards.

[youtube]GgTAm2WjQWU[/youtube]

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The Spirit of Carlton compels you!

Sticks got in there with real talent ealy as one Wayne Carey, proving to be a headache for other sides. Having Sticks earlier would have been great. Would we have made a better player out of him, I don't really have an answer for that. I think he would have been an influence on our side. Any decent player is and a player of his ability definately wouldn't have hurt us at all. I like your spin on this one mate. Be interesting to see other views on it.

I definately hated how he hurt our Vic squad in the interstate games (Vic vs SA). Man they were great matches to watch.

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Bring the season on already. The wait is killing me.

I remember watching a few of those losing GF's, i think from memory it was two in a row before they won the '85 GF. It was a great relief when Glenelg finally won the flag. It used to be shown live a week after the VFL GF on the ABC. They use to get good crowds before teh Crows came along. I even remember watching the QAFL GF the year before Dunstall headed to the Dawks, he was running around in the Navy Blue guernsery of Cooporoo which was the Carlton guernesey. Woudl ahve looked nice in the navy blue as well.

Guys despite being regarded as a Sydney Boy(that hurts by the way) I came of age around the same period as you are talking about - My dad and myself atteneded every game (home and away for a long time) - and despite the old green piss sheds loved every moment - we were members but not the privlidged ones rather those at opposite the Heatly and co and in my case standing on the old metal Fosters cans to get a better view - getting their early and cheering for Rod Galt and his #17, watching the Peanut man and his blanket - seeing Jezza KOed by Magro - seeing the old (i think thats wat is was) press box catch fire.

Anyway Im glad of a pretty poor and un influential upbringing in regards to the blues - my old man loved and loves em and that was and always will be good enough for me - my memories of watching Jezza the Dominatar and KEnny Sheldon not to mention Rod Galt and co just right (of left if your priviledged) of the pocket / posts can never be beaten no replaced.

Asking what if is pointless and belittles my and Im sure many other die hard fans memories.

Be proud of our past but dont dwell there. Be proud of our present and acknowlege what is about to be a prosperous and blue future.

Cheers and Love to all True Blues.

Not sure what you're getting at there Mark. It belittles your memory? I think you better check your history...Rod Galt and Jezza played their last game in 1979.

My point was that Sticks signed with the Blues in 1981. The earliest conceivable time he could have come across to Victoria was realistically 1982 as an 18/19 year old. His development in a slightly stronger competition could have been fast tracked to the point where he may have become a better player than he was and thus our finals record in years '83, 84 - but particularly 1985 and 1986 could have been much better with a champion Centre Half-Forward, rather than a developing one.

No history belittled - just an observation as to what might have been, with particular reference to the years we didn't win a flag.

Kernahan would have been written off if he didn't tear the VFL apart in his two seasons.

We only recruited the Glenelg tall in the hope that Gibbs would come across.

We may have got David Kernahan over to Melbourne a lot earler too

Even when Sticks did arrive; he had trouble seeing the ball from a distance.

Of course; contacts fixed that problem.....but were they as easily available in the early 80's?

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Even when Sticks did arrive; he had trouble seeing the ball from a distance.

Of course; contacts fixed that problem.....but were they as easily available in the early 80's?

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Didnt play night games until 1985 (outside of teh mid-year night comp.) - that was one of the Blues big issues when we played th 1993 Quaifying Final under lights. He then kicked 7 and ended that issue to a certain degree.

I think Ratts had abigger issue with eyesight than Sticks

He may have done his knee in 85 in a fashion similar to Kouta and never recovered If he came earlier brother David may have got more chicken at dinner time and been our star CHB His parents may have got lonely if he came in 81 and decided to try for 1 more who may just be good enough to play now So many possibilities Peekay would love this thread

There were 3 boys, with Stephen and David being the youngest two boys, so I think Harry and missus would have been fine if he did come over in '81

The 1986 GF first Q was a fizzer, and a Qtr Doull would like to forget.

I have no doubt we would have been a better team with a bonafide in form CHF...yeah, someone like Sticks.

In fact, I believe we could have beaten the Hawks on that day had an in form Sticks was playing.

Oh well, he and we have to settle for Sticks captaining 2 premiership teams for the Mighty Bluebaggers.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

86 GF was a disaster, we went in with Hunter, Maclure and a few others carrying injuries - they were a good side and they matched up well against us. Things like Russell Greene picking up Harmes and taking him up the field to leave Doull and Dunstall one out to stop Harmes being third man up, Ayres on Rhys etc.

Walls learnt from this and we had a lot stars play in the 2's flag in '87 who would have been automatic walk up starts like Harmes and Blackwell.

A more VFL acclimatised Sticks would have helped, but the ball needed to get to him, it was a bit like the '93 GF - the only way we would ahve won that is either a) Essendon* didnt turn up, or b) we kicked to Sticks 10 times a quarter.

If Kernas went over in 81, I wouldn't have had the chance to have;

4

Kernahan

On the back of the duffle coat.

A Glenelg legend, his 1985 Grand Final when he got BOG was pure class, especially when he smacked David Wildy in the head and broke his eye socket

He was always going to stay at the Bays 'til they won a flag, same reason as why several of the other blokes hung around too.

Those who may not know too much of the SANFL, the 1985 Glenelg side was the BEST side I'd ever seen run around for the Bays. Just chock a block full of talent;

F: Peter Carey - 448 games, Adam Garton - Brisbane, Tony McGuinness - Footscray/Adelaide legend
HF: Stephen Copping - Essendon*, Stephen Kernahan - Carlton Legend, David Marshall - Adelaide
C: David Kernahan - Carlton, Alan Stringer - used to smash blokes, Tony Symonds - Hawthorn
HB: Wayne Stringer - used to smash blokes too, John Seebohm - daughter can swim, Tony Hall Hawthorn/Adelaide
B: Michael Murphy - Roos/Adelaide/Brisbane, Chris Duthy - Fitzroy, Ross Gibbs - produced Bryce
R: Wayne Henwood - Sydney/Melbourne/QC, Peter Maynard - Melbourne, Chris McDermott - Adelaide
I: Robin Kidney - oblivion, Scott Salisbury - tough bastard, now a building millionaire.

I miss those days......

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Was hoping you'd reply to this thread mate. I have a question. In 1984, Peter Carey was suspended and missed the Prelim. You lost one you were perhaps meant to win and he may have got you over the line in that one and the GF. Thoughts?

Hell of a good side by the way in '85. Quite possibly the third best in Australia at the time? Pretty comparable with the Footscray side of that year IMO, who blew the Prelim against the Hawks.

It's a popular belief that if the Bays had Carey, we would've gone close. Port were a bloody good side, and we lost to them in the First Semi. Norwood came from fifth and knocked the Maggies off in the GF so perhaps the Bays could've done it.

Peter Carey was just a freak. Played in the 73 Grand Final side at CHF, and killed 'em. He was just a crucial part of the Glenelg side in the 70's/80's. Used to go quite well in the S.O.O games too.

The Prelim in which we beat Port by 1 point (1982), and David Granger just went apeshit and smacked out anyone who got close to him, was a mammoth win. It took the wind out of the sails though and the Bays had noting left for the GF.

As a Glenelg supporter though finals losses were a common thing, but Glenelg was a super side in that era (early 70's - to early 90's), just only 3 flags to show for it though....

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If I remember correctly the Kernahan hit was a square-up after the same bloke belted Sticks from behind in a marking contest earlier in the game???

I know it sounds callous, but I was impressed after he squared up as it showed that he had some mongrel to go with his obvious outstanding ability.

Indeed. 1:51 in the below video was Wildy hitting Kernas in the head (he still took the mark, and kicked the goal). Followed by Kernas hit and subsequent all in at 3:06.

Note: At this stage Sticks didn't exist ! He got that nick name at Carlton

[youtube]MMon6FdsWGo&NR=1[/youtube]

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Go to http://www.snoutslouts.org/ for a look at the mighty GFC...