A midfielder, Plunkett played initially at Montmorency and was recruited from the Northern Knights.
Selected with the 32nd pick of the 1996 AFL draft, he was part of a trade which saw Barry Standfield come to the Western Bulldogs.
[1] Plunkett was delisted by the Bulldogs at the end of the 2000 season but given another opportunity when he was rookie listed by Carlton.
He put in a strong performance in the 2001 elimination final win over Adelaide, with 34 disposals and two goals.
[2] In 2002 he was a regular member of the team and played 18 games but was let go by the club after a poor showing the following season.