A decade is a long time in any walk of life. That is especially true in football.
Prior to the start of season 2022, that was how long its been since Carlton last won in the opening two rounds.
It was 2012, the Blues were more of a contender while Richmond were a lesser side.
In the 10 years since, the two club's have been on opposite trajectories.
The Tigers would go on to win three flags while Carlton have the displeasure of 'winning' two wooden spoons.
Of those who played for Richmond, nine went on to star in at least one flag, with Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes, Bachar Houli, Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt and Brandon Ellis all claiming medallions.
Those at Tigerland still play under the one coach in Damien Hardwick since that day, while Princes Park has seen six different senior coaches in the last decade.
Now 10 years on, in 2022, Carlton have once again defeated Richmond in Round 1.
The Blues took it one step further, and have now set their record to 2-0 for 2022 after an impressive win over 2021 grand finalists the Western Bulldogs.
PUMP THE BRAKES: Carlton's journey to finals only just beginning
So we take a look back at the 2012 Blues side, and ponder the question, 'where are they now?'
Currently Playing
Only three players from Carlton’s Round 1 and 2 2012 team are still running around at AFL level, with Ed Curnow the only one still donning the navy blue.
The veteran midfielder has been a consistent and dependable player for Carlton, playing 204 games (and counting).
The other two who still find themselves on an AFL list are Mitch Robinson and Zach Tuohy.
Robinson would play 100 games for Carlton before he was delisted due to an off-field incident. He was picked up by Brisbane, where the 232-gamer has become a cult-figure.
Tuohy was a regular in the Carlton team, playing 120 games before he was traded to Geelong in 2016. The star defender has now played 220 AFL games, the second most by an Irish-born player.
No Longer Playing
Paul Bower
Apart from an excellent 2009 season, Blues fans never got to see a consistent Paul Bower at his best.
Drafted at number 20 in 2005, injuries plagued the defender before a breakout season in 2009. After that, injuries mounted further, before he was delisted in 2012 after 70 games.
His delisting was described as "the most disgraceful day in Carlton history" and "a stain on the great game that is football" by Mick Malthouse.
Following his AFL tenure, Bower stuck with football.
In 2013 he returned to his original side Peel Thunder in the WAFL before returning to Victoria the next year to play for Heidelberg in the Northern Football League.
With Heidelberg, the Māori Australian won two flags and their best and fairest.
In 2018 and 2019, he played for WRFL team Deer Park and Ballarat FL team Melton South respectively, winning a premiership with the former.
Bret Thornton
Bret Thornton was picked up in the 2002 rookie draft with Pick 11, and made his debut Round 10 that year.
2012 saw Thornton only play seven games, and eventually leave the club as a free agent after 11 seasons and 188 games.
He was picked up by GWS for the 2013 season, but only played one game and was subsequently delisted.
The Oakleigh Charger's export could have possibly won a premiership in 2008, as Hawthorn looked to snatch him in 2006 and 2007 but the Blues refused to trade him.
He would win a premiership, just not at AFL level.
In 2014, Thornton joined Deer Park in the WRFL's first division, winning a premiership alongside another name Blues fans may remember in Ryan Houlihan.
Thornton would then become a playing coach with Dalyston in the Alberton Football League for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He was joined by yet another former Blue, Brad Fisher.
Lachie Henderson
Recently retired Cat Lachie Henderson featured for the Blues in 2012.
Henderson played 102 games for Carlton from 2010 to 2015, but was originally drafted by Brisbane in 2007 with Pick 8.
His time at the Blues was mostly as a forward, kicking 101 goals in those 102 games.
The former Geelong Falcon requested a trade to Geelong in 2015, and would play the rest of his career at the Cats as a key member of their defence.
Henderson retired last year after 206 games across three teams.
Jordan Russell
Jordan Russell was there Round 1 2012, and that's generally about it. The defender managed a meagre five disposals before he was subbed off in the final quarter.
The following week, he was the sub, and once he was subbed on, managed just four disposals.
Drafted at Pick 9 in 2004, Russell would have been expected to be a star for the Blues.
He did have a decent run there, playing 116 games, but struggled later and was eventually dropped to the VFL.
The West Adelaide export joined Collingwood for a sole season in 2013, playing nine games before he was delisted.
Russell joined the Bulldogs reserve side Footscray in the VFL, as a player and development coach, playing from 2014 to 2017. His time there saw him captain the side to two premierships (2014, 2016).
In 2019, he became a midfield and transition coach at the Dogs and later moved into a development coaching role.
Today, he is the midfield coach at North Melbourne, having joined at the end of 2020.
Chris Yarran
Chris Yarran had a stellar game in Round 1 2012, with 22 disposals and two goals to boot. He also kicked that season's Goal of the Year in that game.
He also played a very good game in the following round, with 23 touches and a goal.
Yarran was drafted with Pick 6 in the 2008 draft and started his career as a small forward, before moving into a half-back role.
He would go on to play 119 games, and in 2015 was traded to Richmond in exchange for a first round pick.
Dealing with mental health issues, he never played a game for the Tigers, released from his contract during the 2017 pre-season.
In 2019, Yarran was sentenced to five years in prison after stealing vehicles and attacking police and members of the public while under the influence of methamphetamine.
Jeremy Laidler
More known for his time at Sydney, Jeremy Laidler played for Carlton between 2011 and 2013.
Originally drafted as a rookie by Geelong in 2008, Laidler only played two games for the Cats during a time where the side won two flags.
Being amongst stars of the game meant he didn’t get opportunities.
He was traded to Carlton, playing 24 games in three seasons before being delisted.
The half back signed with Sydney and played out the rest of his career there, finishing with 87 total games.
After his playing days, the former Calder Cannon moved into a coaching role and is now he head coach of the Swans' NEAFL side.
Bryce Gibbs
One of Carlton’s best in Round 1 2012, Bryce Gibbs served the club tremendously in his time there.
The No.1 pick in the 2006 draft had so much hype around him, he was even named in the leadership group before his debut.
Gibbs' tenure at Carlton saw him play 231 games and win the club’s best and fairest in 2014.
In 2017, the South Australian wished to return home and was traded to Adelaide.
He finished his career in 2020, adding a further 37 games to his tally, playing his final game against his former side.
2021 saw Gibbs return to the SANFL and win the Magarey Medal, the league's best and fairest award.
Recently Gibbs was added to Port Adelaide's COVID top up player list as he continues to feature for South Adelaide.
Heath Scotland
Playing over 200 games at Carlton, Heath Scotland was more than serviceable, playing his best footy in some of his final years.
Scotland was drafted in 1998 at Pick 44 by Collingwood, playing 53 games between 1999 and 2003. Seeing his future at the Pies as limited, the midfielder requested a trade to rival Carlton.
2011 and 2012 are considered his best seasons, winning the Blues' best and fairest in the latter.
Retiring in 2014 after 268 games, Scotland became a sponsorship manager for United Petrol.
Following that he went into coaching, serving as head coach at Darley Football Netball Club until 2019, where he returned to AFL as development coach at North Melbourne.
He is also in the signage industry, owning his own company 'Scotland Enterprises'.
Chris Judd
Captaining the Blues to wins in 2012, not a lot has to be said about the man named Chris Judd. One of the greatest players of this century, Judd did it all.
A premiership, a Norm Smith, two Brownlows, two AFLPA MVP awards, six All-Australian blazers and five club best and fairest wins.
His time at West Coast and then Carlton can be split into two Hall of Fame careers.
By 2012, the midfielder was in the twilight of his career, eventually retiring in 2015 due to injury.
Following his playing days, Judd went into commentary and has remained in the public eye, having also been a board member with the Blues up until the end of last year.
In 2021, the AFL and West Coast Eagles Life Member was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.
Today he runs an Chris Judd Invest, a media platform for investors to talk about their work.
Kade Simpson
Amongst Carlton's best in the opening two rounds of 2012, Kade Simpson had 25 disposals, one goal, and 24 disposals, two goals respectively.
One of his best seasons came the following year, where he won the club's best and fairest award.
Drafted in 2002 at Pick 45, Simpson would go on to become one of the most consistent players for Carlton, up until his retirement in 2020.
The half-back flanker played 342 games, the third most in the Blues' history.
Since he hung up the boots, Simpson has remained at the club, serving as an assistant coach for the VFL and AFLW.
He is also a College of Sport and Academy Pathway coach.
Jeff Garlett
Drafted at Pick 6 in the 2009 Rookie Draft, Jeff Garlett joined his Swan District teammate Chris Yarran at Carlton.
The forward played 107 games in the navy blue across six seasons before an off-field incident in 2014 saw him traded to Melbourne.
His stint at the Demons lasted five years, and he was delisted in 2019 after 185 games and 321 goals.
After footy, the Perth native moved to Albury and began playing with the Albury Tigers.
Last year, Garlett was caught drink driving and as a result was disqualified from driving for a year. He was also placed on a 12-month intensive corrections order.
The 32-year-old is understood to now work for a school with disadvantaged children.
Jarrad Waite
Jarrad Waite dominated in Round 2 2012, with a 20-disposal, five-goal game.
Son of two-time premiership Blue Vin Waite, Jarrad was drafted in 2001 as a father-son selection.
He would make his debut in 2003 and go on to play 12 seasons at Carlton, exercising his right as a free agent in 2014 and joining North Melbourne.
The predominant forward would play four seasons at the Roos before retiring in 2018 after 244 games and 377 goals across both clubs.
For the last two years, Waite has played for VAFA side St Kevins Old Boys, and has recently joined Whittlesea as a playing assistant coach in the Northern Football League for the 2022 season.
Marc Murphy
Best on ground in Round 1 2012,was a man coming off a best and fairest season, Marc Murphy.
He had 32 disposals, seven clearances and a goal to his name. The next week, his stat sheet didn't read too differently.
Murphy is another player who doesn't need much of an introduction.
Marc Murphy retires as a 300-game star of @CarltonFC ⭐️
Take a look back at his career in the navy blue, thanks to @Hostplus. pic.twitter.com/q6LDfSX3Nk
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2021
Drafted at Pick 1 in 2005 in a very strong draft class, he would go on to be a star for Carlton, winning two club best and fairests (2011, 2017), an All-Australian selection (2011) as well as AFLPA/CA awards.
The former Oakleigh Charger retired last year after 300 games with the club.
Eddie Betts
An all-time great and absolute fan favourite, Eddie Betts, alongside Judd, is probably the biggest Carlton name featured in that 2012 Round 1 game.
Betts was picked up in the 2004 pre-season draft third overall, and debuted in 2005.
From that point on the South Australian native would consistently feature in Carlton and Adelaide's side, never playing less than 17 games in each of his 17 seasons.
❤️ Eddie Betts has confirmed that he will retire at the end of the 2021 AFL season.
For everything you've done for the game and beyond Eddie, we say thank you.
Full sport coverage – https://t.co/wzVDJ69WOT
Download ABC News App - https://t.co/dLGTjhlrMb pic.twitter.com/iIIONubolx— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) August 16, 2021
Three All-Australian nods (2015-17) and a record four Goal of the Year wins highlight the livewire forward's career. And it is his goals that will live on forever, so much that a forward pocket on Adelaide Oval became known as 'Eddie's Pocket'.
It is his work off-field that will also leave a legacy, being an ambassador for Indigenous Australian's.
Betts retired last year after 350 games, in which he kicked 640 goals, and is now a development coach at Geelong.
RELATED: The 10 best moments of Eddie Betts’ career
Shaun Hampson
Shaun Hampson kicked the most goals (three) in Carlton's Round 1 win back in 2012.
Hampson was drafted with Pick 17 in 2006, and as a top 20 pick, those at the Blues would have had high hopes.
The ruckman went on to play 63 games in the navy blue before he was traded in 2013 to Richmond.
He only managed 35 games across three seasons, but played none in his final two years due to a back injury, which eventually led to his retirement in 2018.
Hampson left the footy world for a few years but recently returned to his old side Carlton, where he is now ruck/bodywork coach for the AFLW program.
Matthew Kreuzer
Matthew Kreuzer played some very good games in the first two rounds of 2012 as the club's main ruckman.
Drafted in 2007 with the first pick (priority), Kreuzer would have a standout debut season, most notable was his goal accuracy.
He would go on to play 189 games before retiring in 2020 after a foot injury in round one ruled him out for the season.
Outside of footy, the former Northern Knight was a civil engineer for eight years and is now works in fleet business sales development for Hopper Motor Group.
He has also remained with the club since retiring, as a ruck coach.
Andrew Carrazzo
Carrazzo was one of Carlton's best in both Round 1 and 2 of 2012, with over 30 disposals both times.
The midfielder was initially taken by Geelong in 2002 as a rookie but never played a senior match in his two years there. He did however win the VFL side's best and fairest in 2003.
Once again rookie drafted, this time by Carlton, 'Carrots' would find his home at IKON Park, a regular in the side until his retirement in 2015.
The 2007 best and fairest winner would just miss out on the double century, retiring on 194 games.
After footy, the former Oakleigh Charger tried umpiring through the AFL player pathway program, doing so at suburban level but retired after a few months after trouble from a past injury.
Outside of footy, Carrazzo is a director at a electrical and communications company, Electrika Group.
Dennis Armfield
A cult figure at IKON Park, Dennis Armfield played 145 games across 10 seasons.
He was drafted in 2007 with pick 43 at the age of 21.
The Western Australian faired very well in Round 1 2012, with 19 disposals and two goals. The following week though saw him only manage eight disposals.
After retiring in 2017, Armfield has moved into coaching and management roles and a number of places.
He was general manager at both the Athlete School and Business Fight Club for over three and half years.
The Swan Districts product has seen his coaching take him everywhere.
He was North Melbourne's AFLW assistant coach and is currently senior coach at Park Orchards Football Club in the EFL Division 1.
Alongside his EFL coaching gig, Armfield is the head coach of the Women's AFL Academy and Sport's Academy Director at Heathmont College.
"That one hurts a little bit:" Cult figure Dennis Armfield speaks
Kane Lucas
The medical sub in Round 1, 2012, Kane Lucas replaced Jordan Russell in the final quarter and made an impact in his short game time with two goals.
The following week, Lucas was in the starting line-up and had a fair game with 13 disposals and a goal.
Pick 12 in the 2009 draft, high hopes would have been set upon the East Fremantle player. His career didn't live up to that.
He played 42 games across five seasons at Carlton before being delisted in 2014.
The midfielder/defender returned to his home state and was picked up by West Coast but failed to make a senior appearance in his two seasons before his second delisting.
After AFL, Lucas worked at recruitment agency, Veritas Recruitment for a year.
Today he is an AFL specialist skills coach at
