2013.
Now a decade in the rearview mirror, it was a year in which Barrack Obama was inaugurated as the leader of the free world and Australia was served by not one, not two, but three Prime Ministers.
2013 was also the year that the hot air came out of Lance Armstrong's tyres, with the fastest Texan on two wheels admitting to blood doping during his lengthy cycling career.
Speaking of doping, the Essendon Football Club was punted from the post-season action after bringing the game into disrepute following their role in quite possibly the most explosive story in V/AFL history.
The Dons' eleventh-hour booting from the eight left the door open for the Carlton to punch in their finals pass from the ninth on the ladder.
During a Sunday afternoon elimination final at the 'G, Mick Malthouse's Blues would do battle against the Tigers - a club with their own acrimonious history with the ladder's ninth rung.
While the pair of old enemies would split their pair of regular season clashes that year, Richmond would enter the do-or-die final as the bookmakers' favourite.
And for much of the afternoon, Damien Hardwick's ambush would control the tempo, slamming on seven goals to four in the second term to take a 26-point lead into half-time.
Down, but not out, the Blues needed a hero, and who better to call on than dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd.
Putting his side on his heavily-taped shoulder, Judd turned the tide on the Tigers, collecting 25 touches and a goal to go with Bryce Gibbs' 30-disposal, 12-clearance game.
While Carlton's Cinderella run at their 17th flag would come to an end a week in Sydney - the club's last September appearance - Bluebaggers of all ages recall this afternoon fondly, not just for the win but for the many cult heroes that thatched it together.
But what are these Blues Brothers up to these days?
Before Michael Voss' side take to the MCG on Friday night, we checked in with the last group of monogrammed men who had the honour.
3. Forwards
Absolutely beloved by Baggers everywhere, Betts broke hearts when he traded Royal Parade for West Lakes at the end of 2013.
While the superstar small forward would go on to slot 310 goals in 132 starts for the Crows, Betts would end his career in Navy, returning back to Princes Park for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Since hanging them up, Betts has been busy working in the media, penning several books and even coaching his son's junior footy side to a premiership of late.
Nick Duigan
A genuine cult hero, Duigan was also a cerebral as a footballer, possessing a skillset that would serve him well in retirement.
Since departing Princes Park at the end of 2013, Duigan has helped the wider community, working as a psychologist.
At present, the now-38-year-old is the Head of Clinical Leadership at Headspace.
While Garlett would finish 2013 as Carlton's leading goalscorer, his time in Navy Blue would come to an end the very next year.
After five seasons and another goalkicking gong as a Demon, Garlett moved up to Albury for a stretch with the Albury Tigers.
As of last year, the former small forward is said to be working at a school for disadvantaged children.
While injuries wreaked havoc on Kreuzer's career, the former pick one was able to show Blues fans what he was made of across the course of his 189-game career, one that also yielded 94 goals.
Unwilling to stray far from the pack, the beloved big man still calls Carlton home these days, working as the club's ruck coach after calling time in 2020.
Though Robinson was good enough to notch 100 games in Navy Blue between 2009 and 2014, the Tasmanian made his name as a Lion, earning best and fairest honours during his 147-game stay in the Sunshine State.
Since bowing out at the cessation of last season, the mile-a-minute character has gone into the content creation game, sharing his day-to-day adventures with audiences on his YouTube channel.
A father-son selection, Waite made like is old man Vin in calling Princes Park home.
Though the spearhead would eventually end his days as a Blue after 184 games before making the short jaunt to Arden Street, the underrated forward is still remembered fondly by those that back the Blues.
Since departing the AFL scene, Waite has turned out for local footy outfits St Kevin's Old Boys, Whittlesea and Benalla.
