Name: Carley McBride
Carlton member years: 22
Favourite player: Patrick Cripps & Chris Yarran
Memorable match: 1999 preliminary final win against Essendon

Unlike many Carlton members, Carley was “converted” to the Blues by her friend Natasha when she was 14 years old.

Now, 27 years on and a 22-year member she’s still a fully-fledged Bluebagger.

“I used to go to the footy with my friend Natasha and she converted me – she’s been Blue since the day she was born,” Carley said.

Growing up in Port Melbourne, Carley supported South Sydney, a team she was “allowed” to barrack for.

“There was one rule in my house when I was growing up – I couldn’t barrack for Essendon, Collingwood or Richmond and I’ve stuck by it (the rule) for my children because I can’t stand them,” she laughed.

Having attended footy games season after season with the same girlfriends, Carley says she loves “everything about footy”, especially the friendships she’s made.

“I still go with the same girls now and we take our kids too – we all have reserved seats together.

“We also go on interstate trips every year with just the girls and we have a ball – we meet the players – it’s great.”

Carley and her children, Jesse 11 and Maya 7, flew to Sydney for the Round 9 clash with Sydney – John Barker’s first game in charge.

They were surprised and delighted when they realised they were staying at the same hotel as Carlton.

“We met a couple of the players and they were very nice – Chris Yarran was lovely,” she said.

Although Carley loves Yarran and is well and truly on the “Cripps bandwagon”, she has always had a soft spot for hard-nut Kade Simpson.

“Kade Simpson has always been my favourite since he’s been there. I love Simmo, you can’t not love him – he’s the badge on my scarf.”

Carley’s son Jesse, who “idolises” many Carlton players, underwent an operation to remove tumors from his legs and received a wonderful surprise in the mail.

“The Herald Sun did a piece on Jesse when he had his tibia transplant two years ago and he had his photo taken sitting in his hospital bed with his Carlton footy jumper on,” she said.

“When the photo appeared in the paper, Chris must have seen it because he sent Jesse a signed hat – he was over the moon!”

When asked about her most memorable Carlton win, Carley was quick to reply: “I don’t even have to think about it – the 1999 prelim against Essendon – the one-point win.

“I was second from the front with my girls and I even took my mum to this one – I almost wet my pants it was that amazing.

“I can still relive it,” she said.

A breathtaking victory evokes all emotions, with Carley admitting she cried at that particular match.

“My first Grand Final was in 1995 and I cried when we won and I also cried in the ’99 prelim – I do get emotional,” she said.