The Three Bears

Each of the current VFL Clubs were instructed to provide 3 players of their list to the incoming Brisbane Bears for Season 1987, to assist the new team form a competitive list. These 3 players each had to have either played senior football during 1986, or had played in the 1986 Reserves Finals. Carlton, as Reigning VFL Reserves Premiers, would appear to have had a strong list to choose from.

Carlton would first offer to Brisbane the following 3 players:
* Michael Aitken, a Doctor who was by this stage working overseas;
* Bruce Reid, who had retired; and
* Peter Kenny

Only Kenny would make it to Brisbane, and play a game, but in the ensuing discussions over Carlton's 'Three Bears' Neil Gaghan would also agree to go to Brisbane.

David Glascott's brother, Stuart (an ex- Carlton Under 19's player), would also play seniors with Brisbane in 1987, but was not part of the deal, as would Mark Buckley who came via St Kilda. Both players played 4 games in 1987, the last year of their VFL / AFL careers. Another former Carlton reserves player Danny Noonan would also play senior footy at the Brisbane Bears after spending time on the Carlton list.