Carlton fans have rallied around Lachie Plowman after the former No.3 draft pick announced his retirement from the AFL.
The 29-year-old began his career with GWS, making 20 appearances for the expansion side before becoming one of several Giants to make the move to the Blues ahead of the 2016 season.
The defender played almost every game over his first two years but his best campaign came in 2019 when he finished third in the best and fairest.
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At 191cm, Plowman was tasked with battling a variety of opponents in his career, often some of the league’s best smaller forwards, and remained a regular in the side until this year.
But he became a lightning rod for criticism among some Blues fans as the team’s finals drought continued.
Carlton opted to block comments on the club’s social media posts announcing Plowman’s retirement, prompting a fresh wave of support.
“It’s a sad state of affairs that they’ve had to turn the comments off,” Blues fan podcast The PrenderCast wrote.
“Great servant of the footy club. And, contrary to belief in some quarters, played some great footy for us.”
One fan said: “This makes me so sad they’ve had to turn off comments. Love you Lachie.”
Another wrote: “Indictment on our supporters the comments have been turned off. Undoubtedly gave his all, every time he put on the Navy Blue. Forever grateful.”
He said: “Sad to see comments off because we know what some will say. A great clubman. Go well.”
One noted: “Being a defender for a team during a rebuild can’t be easy but this guy did it for so long. Plow, thank you and good luck in the future.”
Plowman racked up 125 AFL games in the No.20 jumper for Carlton, his last in Round 5 being his only appearance in 2023.
He played 19 games for the Blues’ VFL side this year.
“I could not have asked for much more than to have been part of the AFL for such a significant period of my life,” Plowman said.
“The club has been the best environment to come to work every day, the challenging moments, the winning ones, I would not change them for the world.
“Thank you to all my coaches, teammates and everyone at the Blues for their belief in me, and their support.
“Thank you also to my family and partner, who were with me every step along the way. One of my favourite parts of my career is having the opportunity to share it all with you.”
Blues coach Michael Voss paid tribute to Plowman in a club statement.
“You would struggle to come across a nicer, more thoughtful person than Lachie,” he said.
“The energy he brought within our four walls was highly valued and will be missed.
“Arguably the biggest compliment you could give Lachie as a player was the reliability and trust he had with his teammates, which he had built and earned over a long period of time.
“He departs our club with nothing but the best wishes and a great deal of gratitude on our part, for the service he has given in the Navy Blue.”