TonyK
CibbuanoPratt gravely ill
April 21st 2009 06:59
CARLTON has paid tribute to former president Richard Pratt who's gravely ill with prostate cancer.
The 74-year-old has returned home to be closer to his family after being released from hospital.
The chairman of the Visy group of companies was visited on Tuesday morning by Carlton chief executive Greg Swann and president Stephen Kernahan who later hosted a press conference attended by coach Brett Ratten and skipper Chris Judd.
Kernahan said Pratt was in good spirits.
"The first thing he said was 'what happened last week and what's wrong with our kicking?' so that's where Dick's at," Kernahan said.
Kernahan also said Pratt had made an enormous contribution to the club.
"February 9, 2007 was a very significant day in the history of the Carlton football club," he said.
"Richard Pratt was appointed president and I think this club looks back at that as a turning point in our dark days from 2001 to 2007."
"He's been sensational for our footy club, he's been great for the players ... and to the staff, and especially to [chief executive] Greg Swann and myself."
A sombre Ratten said Pratt would provide the Blues with extra motivation to win their clash against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
"This does give us more motivation to make sure that we get a win on the board," Ratten said.
"It would be great to give him a win this weekend."
Judd said Pratt had a significant impact on him during the brief time they had known each other.
"He's full of wisdom and we were very lucky to go (in the pre-season) to Malaysia with him and we had a fair bit of time just to converse with him and pick his brains about life and business," Judd said.
"It's been influential on my thinking and you just can't go past the huge influence he's had on this footy club."
"I struggle to think of anyone who's had a bigger impact on a footy club since I've been playing AFL."
Pratt stepped down as Carlton president after being charged with giving false or misleading evidence to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2005 over allegations of price fixing in the packaging industry.
The 74-year-old has returned home to be closer to his family after being released from hospital.
The chairman of the Visy group of companies was visited on Tuesday morning by Carlton chief executive Greg Swann and president Stephen Kernahan who later hosted a press conference attended by coach Brett Ratten and skipper Chris Judd.
Kernahan said Pratt was in good spirits.
"The first thing he said was 'what happened last week and what's wrong with our kicking?' so that's where Dick's at," Kernahan said.
Kernahan also said Pratt had made an enormous contribution to the club.
"February 9, 2007 was a very significant day in the history of the Carlton football club," he said.
"Richard Pratt was appointed president and I think this club looks back at that as a turning point in our dark days from 2001 to 2007."
"He's been sensational for our footy club, he's been great for the players ... and to the staff, and especially to [chief executive] Greg Swann and myself."
A sombre Ratten said Pratt would provide the Blues with extra motivation to win their clash against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
"This does give us more motivation to make sure that we get a win on the board," Ratten said.
"It would be great to give him a win this weekend."
Judd said Pratt had a significant impact on him during the brief time they had known each other.
"He's full of wisdom and we were very lucky to go (in the pre-season) to Malaysia with him and we had a fair bit of time just to converse with him and pick his brains about life and business," Judd said.
"It's been influential on my thinking and you just can't go past the huge influence he's had on this footy club."
"I struggle to think of anyone who's had a bigger impact on a footy club since I've been playing AFL."
Pratt stepped down as Carlton president after being charged with giving false or misleading evidence to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2005 over allegations of price fixing in the packaging industry.
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