Carlton legend who never lost a game in 1968 passes away at 79—discover the sacrifices behind his triumph

He was the man who broke a 21-year drought for Carlton, yet few knew the full extent of the risks he took to do it.

Brian Kekovich’s name still sparks memories of a September day in 1968 when the Blues finally lifted the premiership.

Brian Kekovich has passed away in Perth at the age of 79 after a long illness, leaving behind a story of courage, sacrifice and family resilience that remains woven into Carlton Football Club history.

For supporters over 60, Kekovich’s heroics are part of Carlton legend, yet the numbers behind his 1968 season tell a story even more remarkable than the victory itself.

Of the 17 senior games he played in 1968, Carlton won every single one—including the Grand Final.

Even more astonishing, the Blues lost all five matches Kekovich missed that year, proving just how pivotal he was to the team.

The full-forward from Myrtleford had been Carlton’s leading goal-kicker in both 1967 and 1968, with 36 and 59 goals respectively, becoming the heartbeat of a team destined for greatness.

The 1968 Grand Final against Essendon was played in brutal, blustery conditions that tested every player on the field.

Kekovich rose to the challenge, scoring four of Carlton’s seven goals, including a spectacular kick that swung unpredictably with the wind yet still went through for a goal.

He kicked all four goals from full-forward before half-time on his natural left foot, three of them with the barrel, contributing 4.4 (28) to Carlton’s 7.14 (56) win over Essendon’s 8.5 (53).

The conditions were more than challenging—they were dangerous.

At one point, two of Essendon’s toughest defenders, Alex Epis and Neil Evans, converged on him simultaneously, yet Kekovich’s evasive skills allowed him to escape without injury.

What makes his Grand Final performance even more extraordinary is the secret he carried—a severe back injury that required weekly acupuncture and extensive treatment at his own expense.

He had been badly kicked on the top of his right hip in a match against Fitzroy, yet played through pain that would later force him to retire immediately or risk permanent paralysis.

Brian’s journey to that defining moment began far from the football field, in a refugee camp near the Suez Canal.

Born Branko Kekovich in January 1946, he came to Australia at age two with his parents Vladimir and Milica.

The family first settled in Manjimup, Western Australia, working on a tobacco-growing property, before moving across the Nullarbor to Gunbower, Victoria, in 1955.

Brian’s younger brother Sam was born in Manjimup, and a third brother, Michael, followed in Victoria.

Tragedy struck the family when Michael, considered their most gifted footballer, was hit and killed by a car at just 17 years old in June 1971.

In 2023, Kekovich returned to Carlton for the first time in more than 50 years, revisiting the premiership trophy, the locker room, and the hallowed playing surface.

His visit coincided with a Carlton Life Members Luncheon at Kew Golf Club, where he reunited with teammates from the 1968 Grand Final including John Nicholls, Ian Collins, Peter Jones, Bryan Quirk and Barry Gill.

Without Kekovich’s four goals in that Grand Final, Carlton may well have lost to Essendon, altering the course of the club’s history for decades.

His legacy stands as a reminder of a player who gave everything for his team, risking his future to create one of Australian football’s most iconic moments.

Carlton’s AFLW players will wear black armbands in Perth as a mark of respect, ensuring his memory endures in the city he called home.

Stories of extraordinary dedication and courage often extend beyond the sports field, touching our hearts in different ways.

Just as Brian Kekovich showed resilience and left a lasting legacy, some performers have captured audiences with their own unforgettable presence and talent.

For another inspiring example of someone whose work and spirit continue to resonate, consider this remarkable journey.

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The boy who arrived as a refugee became one of Carlton’s most important players in their most important match, leaving a story of courage that continues to inspire. Rest in peace, Brian.