The most recent Carlton squad to win a final

The most recent Carlton squad to win a final

The last Carlton team to win in September was totally loaded with cult heroes. But what have they been up to lately?

2013.

It was a decade ago that Barack Obama was inaugurated as the head of the free world and Australia was serviced by not one, not two, but three Prime Ministers.

Lance Armstrong’s tyres were also heated in 2013, with the fastest Texan on two wheels admitting to blood doping during his lengthy racing career.

Speaking of doping, the Essendon Football Club was barred from post-season play for bringing the game into disrepute as a result of their involvement in what was possibly the most combustible scandal in V/AFL history.

The Dons’ last-minute boot from the eighth position opened the door for Carlton to punch in their finals pass from the ninth position on the ladder.

Mick Malthouse’s Blues would face the Tigers in a Sunday afternoon elimination final at the ‘G, a club with a tumultuous history with the ladder’s ninth rung.

While the two longtime rivals split their regular-season meetings that year, Richmond entered the do-or-die final as the betting favorite.

Damien Hardwick’s assault would dictate the tempo for much of the afternoon, banging on seven goals to four in the second term to take a 26-point advantage into half-time.

The Blues needed a hero, and who better to turn to than dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd?

Judd turned the tide against the Tigers, collecting 25 touches and a goal to go along with Bryce Gibbs’ 30-disposal, 12-clearance performance.

While Carlton’s Cinderella run at their 17th flag would end a week later in Sydney – the club’s final September appearance – Bluebaggers of all ages remember this afternoon fondly, not only for the win but also for the numerous cult heroes who stitched it together.

But what are the Blues Brothers up to now?

Before Michael Voss’ side takes on the MCG on Friday night, we spoke with the last group of monogrammed men.

Defenders

Lachie Henderson

 

Henderson would stay at Princes Park for another two seasons before heading down the road to join Geelong ahead of the 2016 season.

The defender wore a hooped guernsey 89 times before teaming up with another ex-Blue, Zach Tuohy.

Henderson has since retired as the director of The Prestwick Place, a lab-grown diamond jewelers.

Michael Jamison 

As long as I live and breathe.

The beloved clubman would don the navy blue for three more seasons before retiring after 150 games of stalwart service behind the ball.

Jamison is now the AFL Players’ Association’s General Manager of Communications and Commercial.

Kade Simpson 

Simpson is one of only five Blues to have played 300 or more senior games, making him a legend at Princes Park.

Despite this, after spending time with Carlton’s AFLW squad, the long-sleeved aficionado expanded his wings, exchanging Carlton for Hawthorn and became the Hawks’ defensive coach.

Zach Tuohy 

Tuohy is one of just two names from this Blues side still playing AFL football as of Round 24.

However, the moustachioed utility has called the Pivot City home since the start of the 2017 season, lacing the boots for the Cats on 150 times.

Tuohy, along with teammate Mark O’Connor, became the only three Irishmen to win a Men’s AFL title last season, joining Tadhg Kennelly.

Andrew Walker 

Walker acquired a reputation as a leaper during his 13 seasons in Navy Blue, hauling in poster-quality hangers at either end of the field.

After finishing his 202-game career in 2016, the Carlton Life Member became CEO of A2B Personnel, a recruitment organization that provides apprenticeships and long-term employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons in the construction industry.

Chris Yarran 

Yarran wore a monogrammed guernsey for two more seasons until being moved to Richmond for a first-round pick before the 2015 trade deadline.

Due to mental health difficulties, the Western Australian’s stint at Tigerland came to an end without him playing a single game in yellow and black.

Yarran was sentenced to five years in prison in May 2019 for assaulting a police officer and attempting to seize their firearms. Yarran also pled guilty to charges of reckless driving, aggravated robbery, and criminal damage, with his counsel claiming his client had a strong methylamphetamine habit.

Midfielders

 

Dennis Armfield

Armfield, a great fan favorite, retired from the Blues in 2017 after 145 games.

Since leaving Princes Park, the inked flanker has worked in a variety of capacities, including coaching at the AFLW Academy and Park Orchard.

Armfield now works as a senior consultant with The Elevation Company, a self-help and self-actualization organization.

Ed Curnow

Curnow, who was only in his third year with Carlton in 2013, has gone on to become one of the Blues’ most popular players over the last decade.

Curnow, who is still a regular on Michael Voss’ teamsheet, has declared that he would retire at the end of the 2023 season, giving the Blues even more reason to win it all from fifth place.

Bryce Gibbs

Though no Brownlow votes are awarded for finals performances, Gibbs would have received at least two on that lovely Sunday afternoon in September 2013.

While no longer a Blue, or a Crow for that matter, Gibbs still gets his hands dirty on weekends, lining up for SANFL club South Adelaide, snaring a Magarey Medal in 2021.

Marc Murphy

Murphy, like Simpson before him, would retire as a Blue after entering Carlton’s 300 club.

Despite never experiencing ultimate triumph as captain, Murphy would lead the Navy Blues into action on numerous occasions.

The former midfielder now works as the Development Manager for the JAGA group, a property development company.

Heath Scotland

Scotland became a sponsorship manager for United Petrol after retiring in 2014 after 268 games and a best and fairest with the Blues.

He then moved into teaching, serving as head coach at Darley Football Netball Club until 2019, when he returned to the AFL as a development coach at North Melbourne.

Scotland, who has his own company, Scotland Enterprises, is also involved in the signage industry.

Robert Warnock

Though the former Docker and Blue would never win an All-Australian blazer or a club champion trophy, Warnock has gone beyond the confines of Australian Rules Football, affiliating himself with the world’s fastest growing sport: pickleball.

The former ruckman has been the Director of the Oceania Pickleball Association since July of last year.

We have to confess, we’d love to watch Warnock dragging his 6’9 frame around the court.

Forwards

Eddie Betts 

Betts broke the hearts of Baggers everywhere when he traded Royal Parade for West Lakes at the end of 2013.

While Betts would go on to score 310 goals in 132 matches for the Crows, he would complete his career in Navy, returning to Princes Park for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Betts has been busy working in the media, writing several books, and recently coaching his son’s junior football team to a premiership.

Nick Duigan

Duigan was a true cult icon as well as a clever footballer, with a skill set that would serve him well in retirement.

Since leaving Princes Park at the end of 2013, Duigan has worked as a psychologist in the community.

The now-38-year-old is currently the Head of Clinical Leadership at Headspace.

Jeff Garlett

While Garlett finished 2013 as Carlton’s best goalscorer, he would leave the club the following year.

Garlett moved up to Albury for a stint with the Albury Tigers after five seasons and another goalkicking award as a Demon.

The former tiny forward is supposed to be working at a school for disadvantaged children as of last year.

Matthew Kreuzer

While injuries hampered Kreuzer’s career, he was able to show Blues fans what he was made of during the course of his 189-game career, which also yielded 94 goals.

Unwilling to leave the pack, the beloved big man is still a Carlton supporter, working as the club’s ruck coach after retiring in 2020.

Mitch Robinson

Though Robinson played 100 games in Navy Blue between 2009 and 2014, he established his reputation as a Lion, garnering best and fairest honors during his 147-game tenure in the Sunshine State.

Since his departure at the end of last season, the fast-paced character has turned to content creation, sharing his day-to-day exploits with followers on his YouTube channel.

Jarrad Waite

Waite, like his father Vin, chose Princes Park as his permanent residence.

Though the spearhead would eventually leave the Blues after 184 games before making the short trip to Arden Street, the unheralded forward is still remembered fondly by Blues fans.

Waite has played for local clubs St Kevin’s Old Boys, Whittlesea, and Benalla since leaving the AFL.

Interchange/Coach

Tom Bell 

Bell, a lump of a lad, appeared in 51 appearances for the Blues between 2012 and 2015.

The utility, a Queensland native, returned home in 2016, joining the Lions for another 21 appearances at the level.

Since his retirement, Bell has worked in the building and construction industry, most recently as a Commercial Manager for Blended Services Group.

Chris Judd

That’s accurate, Juddy came off the bench on that particular day.

Judd, a player who requires no introduction, was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame at the first attempt in 2021.

Away from football, the dual Brownlow medallist has worked in the media and as the director of Chris Judd Invest.

Andrew McInnes

McInnes appeared in both of the Blues’ finals in 2013, despite playing only 17 games for the club.

After being delisted the following year, Dandenong Stingrays’ product moved on to play for Norwood and Frankston in the state league.

McInnes is now a Sales Rep for AIRR, an agriculture and farming supply firm, after working as a landscaper.

Troy Menzel 

Menzel’s time as a Blue lasted only two seasons when he returned to South Australia to play with the Crows.

The forward was delisted after four games in two seasons with Tea Tree Grove and Central Districts.

Menzel recently teamed up with his younger brother, Daniel, and the pair won the SANFL title with Woodville West Torrens.

Mick Malthouse

Unlike his previous stints at West Coast and Collingwood, Malthouse would leave Carlton without a premiership.

Though the league’s longest-serving coach would leave in disgrace, Malthouse remains active in the game, calling games for ABC Radio and writing a column for News Corp.