Age: 23
Club: Coburg Tigers
Games: 70
Goals: 54
NICK Carnell has his sights set on achieving a couple of things that haven’t been accomplished at Coburg for a very long time.
First and foremost, Carnell, now in his second season as club captain, wants to play in a premiership, something Coburg last achieved under the legendary Phil Cleary back in 1989.
Carnell came close in 2007, his first season at the club, when Coburg reached its first Grand Final since Cleary led the club to a flag against arch rival Williamstown at Windy Hill.
But they were blown away by a rampant Geelong team that featured James Byrne, Jason Davenport, Steven King, Tom Lonergan, Tom Hawkins and Scott Thompson.
After making the finals again in 2008, Coburg went in free for fall last year after starting so well, but winning two games in the second half of the season.
Next, on Carnell’s wish list is to play 100 games, something that no one has done at Coburg since former captain Anthony Alessio back in the late 1990s.
While David Weston, Kristian DePasuale and Eric Kuret have all came close, the fact is Coburg hasn’t had a centurion in the 21st century.
“I made a pact with myself after I didn’t get drafted that I wanted to play 100 games, I saw that as a bit of a goal,” Carnell said.
“To play 100 games means that you have had a bit of a crack, given yourself every opportunity. You haven’t popped in, popped out.
“Obviously, I haven’t got there yet, but it’s something I’m aiming towards.”
While Carnell finds himself the lone Coburg VFL player with 50 VFL games experience, he’s encouraged by the next wave of young players coming through the club.
Sure, there’s going to be set backs as evidenced against Frankston in Round 2, but the spirit of the club was exemplified the following week when Coburg Tigers defeated the previously unbeaten Box Hill Hawks.
He believes the group – Jonathon Morris, Christian McErlain, Ben Clifton, Ryan Allan, James Lawton and Jason Morgan – can forge ahead over the coming seasons to build up a core group of VFL players, such a vital component to a premiership.
“With the way AFL lists are built, you are always playing with young kids, so if you have a senior VFL list it works well together and that’s where you can have your success,” Carnell said.
“You look at clubs like North Ballarat and Williamstown and that’s why they have been so successful. It’s something I want to build at Coburg.
“I think we can build a list and success together at the club. “
Last Modified on 14/12/2010 23:19