In the words of a former Prime Minister and No. 1 ticket-holder at Carlton, Malcolm Fraser, life wasn't meant to be easy.
If Malcolm was alive today, that would be his overriding sentiment as a Blues supporter because this century, apart from a couple of brief resurgences, has been the most barren and depressing period in the club's rich and storied history.
Fortunately I am old enough as I approach pension status to have lived through and witnessed the glory days.
So my task is not easy - name the best 10 Carlton players I have seen since I started following the Blues. My memories go back to the mid-1960s - and already I start with profound apologies to some champions who miss the cut.
Brownlow Medallists Greg Williams and Chris Judd do not make it and there are notable others - in no particular order Jimmy Buckley, Brent Crosswell, Mike Fitzpatrick, Wayne Harmes, Ken Hunter, Trevor Keogh, Anthony Koutoufides, David McKay, Brett Ratten, Sergio Silvagni and Geoff Southby.
Cue the phone calls, comments and outrage - I'll accept the responsibility and it is my opinion.
10Stephen Silvagni
The full-back in the AFL's Team of the Century who played against some of the game's greatest key forwards and more than held his own.
Hard to separate him and another champion full-back Geoff Southby, who also won two best and fairest awards and two premierships. Southby was a better kick and possessed superb judgment, but Silvagni was more versatile, strong in the contest and capable of taking a spectacular mark.
