Brent Tasman Crosswell. Impressive name. He arrived in 1968 as a teenager, both he and Wallsy debuted in the same year. Wouldn't happen these days as 17 year olds are still in the TAC competition. Continued the run of great footballers from Tasmania. Started as an onballer and played most games in the first year. He broke his collarbone [close to the finals] and may have missed a game. If you watch the 68 GF he is still pretty sore. One of the first footballers who looked like a modern footballer. Crozza liked to look good. Pace to burn, fierce at the ball, a great high mark with a slightly awkward kicking style. I sat in the top level of the Olympic Stand for the 70 GF. He put us in front late in the 1970 GF when he sized up the situation and forced Tuddy into a high tackle. Jezza's bouncing ball goal soon after clinched the match. Thinking about it still gives goosebumps. My brother-in-law, newly arrived from Sunderland, was so impressed he was crying. I think Crozza would have won the Norm Smith that day. Illness forced him from the scene [blood infection that made its way into his bones] in 71 [?]. Came back in 1972 and took a great mark at Glenferrie Oval in front of the Art Deco stand. Had a crew cut which made it even more memorable. Missed the 72 GF through injury. Went back in 73 and became a great rebounding defender. Doull, Southby and Crosswell - no wonder we won premierships. I remember a game at Arden Street in 1973. Barassi in his first year as coach of NM. Showed Richmond Carlton's 'weakness' that day. Crosswell V Kekovich. A shake of the hand prior to the game and a promise that both would play the ball. Slamming Sam didn't like how the contest was going and belted Crozza, who was in front, with a round arm. Sitting on the fence, no blood rule in those days, he crossed the boundary close to where I was sitting and I couldn't make out facial features as a result of the blood covering his face. Eventually had to leave the ground because the blood could not be stopped and the ambulance was called. This was just before half time. Wallsy, one of the bravest I've seen, running, with his back to the ball, looking over his shoulder, was following a high ball when he was cleaned up by Phil 'Snake' Baker. A cowardly act that would get you a season these days. Wallsy arrived in the rooms on a stretcher where Crosswell was waiting, in a wheel chair, for the ambulance. I'm told he had to be restrained from trying to enter the oval again. Crosser eventually crossed to NM during the 1975 season. Lots of things happened but that's all history. I happened to be a Carlton u19s hopeful at the same time who, because of lack of opportunities, crossed to NM at the same time. It's a proud recollection that the Footy Record wrote an article entitled 'Grasshoppers' - players who had been cleared to other VFL teams during the season. There was my name in print with the great BT Crosswell. Being involved at Carlton and NM meant rubbing shoulders with a lot of heroes. Up close Crozza was a show-off extroadinaire. At NM he loved getting on the speedball before training and give it to us uncordinated juniors as he pummelled and I missed even second hit. Over 200 games, 4 premierships. What a player. As you can tell the man who wore number 17 at Carlton still excites me today.