Stephen Kernahan

Infobox afl player


firstname = Stephen
lastname = Kernahan


| birthdate = Birth date and age|1963|9|1|df=y
birthplace =
heightweight = 196cm / 102kg
originalteam = Glenelg, (SANFL)
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 1, 1986
debutteam = Carlton
debutopponent = Hawthorn
debutstadium = Waverley Park
playingteams = Glenelg, (SANFL) (1981-1985)

136 games, 290 goals

Carlton (1986-1997)

251 games, 738 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2005
careerhighlights =

* Glenelg Best and Fairest: 1983, 1984, 1985
* Glenelg Leading goalkicker: 1983, 1984
* Glenelg Hall of Fame
* Fos Williams Medallist: 1984, 1998
* Jack Oatey Medallist: 1985
* SANFL Hall of Fame: inducted 2002
* Carlton Best and Fairest: 1987, 1989, 1992
* Carlton Captain: 1987-1997 (226 Games)
* Carlton Leading goalkicker: 1986-1996
* Carlton Hall of Fame: inducted 1993
* All-Australian: 1985-1986, 1988, 1992, 1994
* Carlton Team of the Century (Captain)

Stephen Kernahan is a former Australian rules footballer best known for his career with Carlton and Glenelg in the 1980s and 1990s.

Nicknamed "Sticks" and "Kernas", Kernahan was the captain of the Carlton team of the century and holds the club goalkicking record of 738 and the AFL record for the most games as club captain.

History

Kernahan is the son of South Australian rules footballer Harry Kernahan. He began his senior career with Glenelg in the SANFL in 1981 and played 136 games, kicking 290 goals, winning 3 straight best and fairest awards, topping the votes in the 1983 Magarey Medal (for which he was ineligible due to a suspension), and twice winning the club goalkicking [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/k.htm#Stephen%20Kernahan%20(Glenelg%20&%20Carlton)] . In 1985 he was awarded the Jack Oatey Medal as best on ground in the club's premiership win over North Adelaide.

Signed by Carlton in the Victorian Football League in 1981 he didn't move to the club until 1986, due to his slight build (hence the nickname "Sticks"). Upon arriving at Carlton he and fellow South Australians to move to Carlton that same year, Craig Bradley and Peter Motley had an immediate impact. In only his second season Kernahan was made club captain and held the position until his retirement in 1997. He was premiership captain in 1987 and 1995, won the best and fairest in 1987, 1989 and 1992, under several different coaches.

Playing primiarily at centre half-forward and later full forward, he was famous for his ability to kick the vital goal. He played thirteen games for South Australia and was selected as an All-Australian nine times (seven for Carlton in 1986-90, 92 & 94, two for Glenelg in 1984-85). He is a Carlton and AFL life member, and played a total of 403 senior games for Glenelg, Carlton and South Australia.

After retiring as a player Kernahan joined the club's Board of Directors and in 2006 became a Vice-President of the Club. Following Graham Smorgon's failure to be re-elected at the 2007 Board Elections, Kernahan was made interim President, acquiring the services of and reliquishing the position to Richard Pratt within days.

In 2006, at the Carlton Football Club's Best and Fairest dinner, Kernahan unleashed comments regarding Jake Niall being Caroline Wilson's "lap dog" and said that journalist Patrick Smith "has no friends and spends Christmas Eve by himself". The comments caused major controversy. On June 20th 2008 he was announced as Carlton President after Richard Pratt stood aside as Carlton President to fight the charges of giving false and misleading evidence to an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/pratt-stands-aside-as-carlton-chief/2008/06/20/1213770889110.html Sydney Morning Herald: Pratt stands aside as Carlton chief] ]

External links

* [http://www.blueseum.org/cfc/tiki-index.php?page=Stephen+Kernahan Stephen Kernahan Profile in Blueseum]
* [http://www.sanfl.com.au/default.aspx?s=historydisplay&aid=98180 SANFL Hall of Fame]