The Old Dark Navy's
8 Dec 2001, 23:02
From AFL.com from Mike Sheahan - Herald Sun. Sounds like a good game.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CARLTON is poised to right a wrong inflicted upon Aboriginal people almost 70 years ago.
The Blues have agreed to play an Aboriginal All Star team in Darwin on Australia Day, a notion that would have been dismissed out of hand at Princes Park in a bygone era.
The late Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls quit Carlton after just six weeks during the early 1930s, citing racial resentment. Reports from the time say trainers refused to rub him.
He took up with Fitzroy, where he played 54 games from 1932-37, representing Victoria in 1935.
He would delight in the Carlton decision to play the All Stars at Marrara Oval, thrilled by the sight of so many of his brothers on display in the one team.
With the exception of Port Adelaide pair Gavin Wanganeen and Che Cockatoo-Collins, most of the AFL's best-known Aborigines are expected to play in the game.
The likely starters include Andrew McLeod, Darryl White, Michael O'Loughlin, Adam Goodes, Ronnie Burns and Justin Murphy.
The team will be exclusively Aboriginal, with Northern Territory players making up any shortfall.
Former Footscray and Brisbane player Michael McLean, who will coach the All Stars, has contacted all AFL clubs seeking their support and is believed to be thrilled with the spirit of co-operation.
Given it will be the first game of the new season for all players, and the likelihood of hot weather, both teams are expected to comprise as many as 30 players.
The organisers have promised to be mindful of the welfare of the players to justify the faith of the clubs who have lent their support to the initiative.
Carlton chief executive Don Hanly said the Blues had committed to the game subject to a ground inspection.
Marrara suffered major drainage problems during torrential rain in the Geelong-Sydney Ansett Cup game this year, and AFL approval for the 2002 fixture is contingent on a ground inspection by a turf consultant.
While the Doug Nicholls issue is a sorry part of Carlton's history, the Blues have had Aboriginal players since.
Syd Jackson is a Carlton legend, playing in the 1970 and '72 premiership teams.
Justin Murphy, Troy Bond and Sean Charles are Aboriginals to represent the Blues more recently.
An official announcement is expected on Monday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CARLTON is poised to right a wrong inflicted upon Aboriginal people almost 70 years ago.
The Blues have agreed to play an Aboriginal All Star team in Darwin on Australia Day, a notion that would have been dismissed out of hand at Princes Park in a bygone era.
The late Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls quit Carlton after just six weeks during the early 1930s, citing racial resentment. Reports from the time say trainers refused to rub him.
He took up with Fitzroy, where he played 54 games from 1932-37, representing Victoria in 1935.
He would delight in the Carlton decision to play the All Stars at Marrara Oval, thrilled by the sight of so many of his brothers on display in the one team.
With the exception of Port Adelaide pair Gavin Wanganeen and Che Cockatoo-Collins, most of the AFL's best-known Aborigines are expected to play in the game.
The likely starters include Andrew McLeod, Darryl White, Michael O'Loughlin, Adam Goodes, Ronnie Burns and Justin Murphy.
The team will be exclusively Aboriginal, with Northern Territory players making up any shortfall.
Former Footscray and Brisbane player Michael McLean, who will coach the All Stars, has contacted all AFL clubs seeking their support and is believed to be thrilled with the spirit of co-operation.
Given it will be the first game of the new season for all players, and the likelihood of hot weather, both teams are expected to comprise as many as 30 players.
The organisers have promised to be mindful of the welfare of the players to justify the faith of the clubs who have lent their support to the initiative.
Carlton chief executive Don Hanly said the Blues had committed to the game subject to a ground inspection.
Marrara suffered major drainage problems during torrential rain in the Geelong-Sydney Ansett Cup game this year, and AFL approval for the 2002 fixture is contingent on a ground inspection by a turf consultant.
While the Doug Nicholls issue is a sorry part of Carlton's history, the Blues have had Aboriginal players since.
Syd Jackson is a Carlton legend, playing in the 1970 and '72 premiership teams.
Justin Murphy, Troy Bond and Sean Charles are Aboriginals to represent the Blues more recently.
An official announcement is expected on Monday.