1924

The story of this season was five straight losses between rounds 4 and 9 (including a round 6 bye). After 1 loss, 1 draw and 1 win in the first three rounds respectively, Carlton languished in last on the ladder. The Blues managed to split their remaining eight games, with 4 wins and 4 losses, to advance to seventh spot on the ladder and avoid the clubs first wooden spoon.

Carlton would also lose, temporarily, the services of great Horrie Clover who would succumb to illness and resign as a player and Captain after Round 9, being replaced in the top job by Paddy O'Brien. Thankfully Clover would return in 1926.

Ladder

People of 1924

Captain: Horrie Clover / Paddy O'Brien
Coach: Percy Parratt
Leading Goal-kicker: Alex Duncan - 27 goals.

Debuts

Round 18: Harvey Dunn
Round 16: Norm Sexton
Round 11: Jimmy Robertson
Round 10: Aub Charleston
Round 7: Ernie McAlpine
Round 3: Harold Carter, Clarrie Uren
Round 2: Ray Harper, Stan Trebilco
Round 1: Charlie Anderson

Semi Finals

" The innovation in regard to playing the semi-finals, recently adopted, on the suggestion of Mr. Hunt, Carlton's delegate, will be brought into force this year.
Providing, as it does, for two matches on each of three Saturdays, it will relieve the overcrowding which occurs on the M.C.C. Ground and present the opportunity to thousands, who now stay away from these matches, to view them in comfort.
It also means that each team will be playing under equal conditions, as regards to weather, etc.,and that a club will not have to stand down for three weeks as Essendon did last year.
The season will not prolonged, and it will give some encouragement to the grounds management to make improvements, which will be to the benefit to the regular followers of football."
(Sun News Pic. February 9 p10)

Milestones and Events

Debut Brownlow Count: This was the first year of the Brownlow Medal, with the Blues polling 6 votes in total for the year - although only one vote was polled per game. A summary of Carlton's Brownlow Votes for 1924 can be found here.

Football Finance - Tables showing the receipts & expenditure of the League clubs for seasons 1923 and 1924.

To view receipts, click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66943775
To view expenditure, click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66945051