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After watching Kade Simpson's effort to spoil last night against and listening to the commentators in raptures regarding his courage that all us Blues supporters are aware of made me wonder is the No.6 our most courageous number? Simmo's record breaking run came to an end when he took a guttsy mark running with the flight of the ball against the Magpies last season – Simmo taking a short step just doesnt go together, this is one player who has worn this guernsey with pride and why he is one of the Blues faithful favourites.
No. 2 is tended to be regarded as our greatest'number thanks to the like of arguably our Greatest footballer John Nicholls and later the mercurial Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams.
But two other Carlton greats to wear the No.6 that were renowned for their courage, they were 3 time premiership winger Garry Crane and legendary Blues enforcer Bob Chitty who played in the 1938 and the '1945 Bloodbath' premiership teams.
Crane's peers such as Robert Walls, Alex Jesaulenko etc rated Crane as the most courageous player they have seen on the football field, with a fierce attack on the ball and a reputation of being a big occasion player he was a player according to his team-mates would never shirk an issue. He was the Blues best player in their 1968 flag and losing 1969 Grand Final, he would also play in the winning 1970 and 1972 Grand Finals – he was again our best in the losing 1973 Grand Final.
Garry was as fearless as any player to don the Navy Blue. His head was always over the ball, his body frequently on the line and in those days it was legitimate for a ruckman to clean you up as you stood exposed, waiting for the ball to drop for the mark. Garry was crunched numerous times but always got up and put his body on the line without thought for the consequences. Robert Walls is quoted as saying that he is one of only three players for any team in his career as a player, coach and commentator that he had never seen pull out of a contest. He was an exceptionally brave and consistent performer for the Blues.
How tough was Bob Chitty? Well, consider this. Only a few days prior to the Blues’ crucial Preliminary Final clash in 1945, he had the top joint of one of his fingers chopped off in an accident at work. He asked for the wound to be stitched and bandaged, then defied doctor’s orders to take his place in the side. Carlton won, and Chitty carried the injury into the following week's Grand Final.
At quarter time of the 1945 Grand Final Percy Bentley instructed Bob Chitty to "remove the kid gloves if the situation becomes desperate". These were to be telling words in the context of the match. The 19 yo Ken Hands was flattened so Chitty started dropping his South opponents as a square up with "interest''. Chitty waged a one-man war with the entire South Melbourne line up, complete with blood streaming from his head, hands and legs, and carrying a broken foot, led his team to the third quarter break with one goal in mind - do whatever it takes to stop South's more skillful lineup from taking advantage of the breeze in the last quarter.
The massive crowd screamed for blood and got it when a massive brawl then broke out between Chitty's team-mates and South Melbourne. It took several police to break up this particular brawl, and as they did, Chitty staggered to his feet, clearly and heavily concussed, and made his way to the forward pocket in an attempt to 'shake the cobwebs out'.The minute play resumed Carlton swept the ball forward, and wounded hero Chitty somehow miraculously goaled. In the annals of football history, this must go down as one of the most courageous, uplifting goals in history. The goal all but won Carlton the match, but the fight was still far from over.
Bob Chitty was renowned as being the Blues enforcer, a man that even Richmond's Jack Dyer was wary of. Chitty led by example and would stick up for his team-mates.
There is also a tale that has almost reached folklore status in Benalla, of the day Chitty took a mark, then landed awkwardly and broke his ankle. Why is this story so extraordinary? Because he got up, and kicked a goal before hobbling off!
The Blues have had numerous players of courage and numbers befitting this badge of honour whether it be the No.9 with Hunter and Hickmott, No.7 with Johnston and Ratten etc.
But would No.6 be our Most Courageous??????????????
Last edited by Bomba Sheldon on Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
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