Paul Meldrum

Position: Half forward

Age now: 56

Paul Meldrum's impact on the football field is somewhat forgotten 30 years later. The English-born Meldrum was a skill player who could run all day. His elite endurance, combined with his eye for goal made him a dangerous player, and a fan favourite. Meldrum actually placed third in the Brownlow Medal in 1987, finishing behind joint winners, John Platten and Tony Lockett.

In the seasons following 1987, Meldrum picked up nagging injuries that ended up shortening his career; turning from goal-kicker to reliable backman, to bench player. Meldrum retired in 1992, having been a two-time state representative. He went on to coach Bacchus Marsh in the following seasons.

Stephen Kernahan after the 1995 Grand Final win

Stephen Kernahan (Captain)

Position: Center Half-Forward

Age Now: 53

Recruited alongside Bradley from the SANFL, Kernahan was an established forward, having kicked 290 goals in 136 senior games for Glenelg. Kernahan instantly became a star for the Blues and was made captain for the 1987 season. A move which was questioned at the time, but ended up developing the Blues' greatest ever captain. Kernahan was a colossal presence in the Carlton forward line throughout the 80s and 90s, in the 1987 Grand Final he kicked three important goals and was the club's Best and Fairest in the premiership team. Kernahan turned down the offer of being the Adelaide Crows inaugural AFL captain in 1991 and stayed at Princes Park for the rest of his glittered career.

Post retirement, Kernahan stayed involved with the club, joining the Board of Directors, before becoming vice-president, and then President of the Club. Kernahan served as president for six years before stepping aside in June 2014. A Carlton man through and through, Sticks is still a favourite among fans everywhere, being accredited almost every accolade attainable for a retired player.

Richard Dennis

Position: Half Forward

Age now: 50

The 1987 season was Richard Dennis' first in the Navy Blue, coming across from Perth. Dennis quickly established himself in Carlton's lineup as a courageous and skillful player. Dennis played twenty-three games in 87. He was a player on the rise, representing Western Australia in the 1987 State of Origin series. Dennis looked to have a great career ahead of him.

However, sadly, the promise he showed was fulfilled. In a 1988 match against Collingwood, Dennis injured his knee marking whilst running with the flight of the ball. Ironically, the game is remembered for another mark; Stephen Silvagni's took a sky-scraping mark of the year.

Richard Dennis' career never really recovered from his knee injury and he was traded to North Melbourne for the 1992 season. His season at Arden Street would be his last. Dennis retired having played 70 AFL/VFL games. By the year 2000, Dennis was back at East Perth Football Club, mentoring young players.

Ken Hunter

Ken Hunter

Position: Forward

Age now: 60

Ken Hunter came to the Blues as a strong defender from Claremont, where he played 99 games. He could not have scripted his VFL initiation to go any better; a Best and Fairest in premiership year for the 1981 Blues, playing in defence. By the 1987 series, he had re-established himself as a forward and was an experienced player for Carlton. In the 1987 Grand Final, he started forward before switching to defense and helping secure victory.

Hunter retired in 1989 as a legend of the club. Post-retirement he briefly returned to coach the Reserves at the Perth Football Club. After coming back to Victoria he has served a board member of the Carlton Football Club. Also since retirement, Hunter has been inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame, alongside being named in both the Carlton and West Australian Team of the Century.

Jon Dorotich

Position: Forward

Age now: 55

Jon Dorotich was a strong key defender from Western Australia who came to the Blues as an already established player. Throughout his time in the VFL, his battles with Dermott Brereton were legendary around the league. When the two teams were scheduled to play in the 1987 Grand Final, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Dorotich would man Brereton. However, Walls famously switched David Rhys-Jones onto the superstar Hawk, sending Dorotich to a forward pocket. He played up forward as well as relief for the ruckman, Justin Madden. Dorotich kicked valuable goals and played a big role in the win.

After leaving the Blues in 1993, 'Dorra' went back to Western Australia and played in the WAFL. He represented Western Australia on six occasions in total, including a best-on-ground performance in 1997, at thirty-five years young. After his playing days eventually finished, Dorotich took on a role in West Australian media, covering WAFL games on the ABC.

Fraser Murphy

Position: Forward

Age now: 54

Murphy was famous for missing the 1986 Grand Final for suspension and being a late inclusion for the 1987 Final. Although establishing himself in the VFA as a rover, he found himself as a quick moving forward pocket in the VFL. Murphy kicked the final goal of the 1987 Grand Final win after spending a lot of the game on the bench. Murphy found chances in the first team to be limited after that and after winning a Reserves Premiership in 1990 he left the Blues after the 1991 season. He was later picked up by Collingwood but did not play a senior game for the club.