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The past few weeks political wranglings have had me thinking about the past, present and future of Carlton and where that sits in the heirarchy of my life. I guess the Marcus Rose article and fallout has triggered me to put it into writing.
When my Mum was pregnant with me, my brother saved up all his pocket money to buy me Carlton merchandise for when I was born. He used to also sing the Carlton Club Song to my Mothers stomach.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
When I was born, in Carlton, at the Royal Women's, my Brother adorned my crib in Navy Blue. The day after I was born, my Brother sat by the crib and listened to the broadcast of Carlton's victory over St Kilda by 45 points, my first of many Navy Blue victories.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
During my first twelve months, my brother used to make me listen to radio broadcasts of Carlton games every week. He also used to recite the names of his favourite players to me.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
One of my first memories is of watching the 1979 Grand Final, with Carlton performing typical September heroics to vanquish our most bitter foe.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
When I started primary school in 1980, I was shocked to know that there were kids who didn't barrack for Carlton. I realised quickly that I was lucky to support the team that were reigning premiers.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
During my primary years, I was fortunate enough to be blessed twice more with premiership glory. I walked taller knowing that I was Navy Blue, through and through.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
I ventured from the familiarity of Braybrook Primary, to the melting pot that was Footscray Tech in 1987. I made the transition from biggest fish to smallest fish. Carlton again tasted premiership glory that year.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
My Mother passed away on New Years Day, 1988. My whole world seemed to collapse under the weight of family bickering in the wake of this tragedy. As a result of my Sisters ongoing deception, my Father and I had an argument which led to me becoming a street kid for about a month. I spent most of that month staying with a mates family, and watching footy replays. I reconciled with my Father, and set about getting my life back on track.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
I became a juvenile delinquent in the subsequent years. Trouble seemed to follow me around. The only rule I ever seemed to live by was that I had to be home on a Saturday Afternoon to listen to the Carlton game on radio, and then watch the replay if we won.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
I started going to games regularly in 1990. I joined the cheer squad, which seemed to give me a focus away from getting into mischief. That focus unfortunately wasn't replicated in my education, and I dropped out of school.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
In 1993 my Father retired and moved to Maryborough in central Victoria. Not wanting to stay in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, and being a lazy, unemployed bum I moved with him. My only sense of loss was moving away from my beloved Carlton.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
I used to save $20 from each dole cheque to get enough money to make about six trips to Melbourne each season to watch my beloved Carlton. To this day it's the only time I've ever been able to save a penny.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
From the years 1994 through to 2000, I worked like mad. Time constraints meant I didn't get to watch Carlton live as much as I would have liked.In this time I hade 4 different jobs, moved house within the Maryborough district 6 times, had 7 different girlfriends, and bought, drove into the ground and replaced five different cars. Again, most Saturdays were spent at the local footy, listening to the radio for score updates of how my beloved Blues were doing.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
In 2000, I met the woman who one day would become my wife. She was from Sydney, and we undertook a long-distance relationship with the understanding that when the time was right I would move to live with her.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
In 2001, my Brother was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way home from work at Tullamarine. We hadn't spoken in quite a while, as our lives had taken very different courses. Our Navy Blue bond was always strong though, and it's all we talked about when we did catch up. I'm very proud that my Brother never had to endure a wooden spoon. Later
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
Later that year, I was offered a voluntary redundancy from my job. The opportunity was too good to miss, so I took the money and moved north. I felt bad about moving away from my Father, and from my beloved Blues.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
In late April 2002, my Father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Given his age and his already poor health doctors said he had about a month left. I rushed to Ballarat Base Hospital to be with him. He was a proud Essendon* supporter, and it was my wish that he would last long enough to watch Carlton beat his team with me one last time on a friday night in May 2002. Dad passed away on the Thursday night before the game, and Essendon* promptly spanked us the night after. It's the only time I've been happy to see us beaten by Essendon*. I'm very proud that my Father never got to see Carlton get a wooden spoon.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
Between 2002 and 2005, I worked four different jobs and moved house twice. My wife and I got married in September 2005.
Carlton was the only constant in my life.
My wife and I are very settled now, and love the life we have built for ourselves. We both have steady employment, are settled with our living arrangements and are very happy. I still feel as if I'm too far away from my beloved Blues. I spend a good portion of my spare time hanging around here, just to still be able to associate with my Navy Blue Brethren, something that Sydney just doesn't offer.
Carlton is the only constant in my life.
As my life goes on, and takes just as many unexpected twists and turns as it has in the past 33 years, I hope I can still say that Carlton is the only constant in my life. Carlton has been a part of my life since day dot, and I honestly don't know how I could survive without it.
I urge all the warring factions within the upcoming elections, to sit down and write some of their strongest Navy Blue memories, especially from their childhood.
Rediscover the magic that gives us the overpowering sense of superiority that we've lost touch with over the past four years.
Rediscover the solidarity we once had, knowing we were a class above the rest of the competition.
Rediscover the thing that makes us better than the rest - THE FACT THAT WE ALL BLEED NAVY BLUE, and we are not scared to be ruthless in order to get what we want and need.
Once we rediscover these things, we can return to our rightful place at the top of the mountain, the envy of every other sporting club in the land.
COME
ON
YOU
BLUES
_________________
Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.
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