Name: Jesse Marlow
Carlton member years: 22
Favourite players: Stephen Silvagni, Anthony Koutoufides, Chris Judd, Patrick Cripps
Memorable match: 2013 elimination final against Richmond
Whether it was brotherly love or just an excuse to put his sibling in a playful headlock, it was this moment that turned Jesse Marlow from football supporter to Bluebagger.
“I followed footy as a young kid but I kind of flipped and flopped between a few teams,” Jesse said.
“Then at the age of 10 my brother put me in a headlock and said ‘you’re a Carlton man now’,” he laughed.
Jesse Marlow (right) with brother Layne.
Twenty-eight years later and Jesse has been a member of the Club since he was 16 years old, marking 22 consecutive years this season.
“When we (my brother and I) were teenagers we became members and started going to games together on the weekend and have continued to do so – it’s been a brotherly thing which has been really good.
“Some of my best childhood memories are going to the footy at Princes Park. I'd love the footy to return to there.”
Although Princes Park holds dear memories for Jesse, it was the 1987 Grand Final victory against Hawthorn that he can first recall – unsurprisingly, he says, it was a “pretty good memory”.
“I remember watching on from the top of the old southern stand of the MCG and my whole family went, Wayne Johnston kicked a goal in the first quarter and I remember the stand just erupting.”
With his wife a Melbourne fan and his father a Collingwood man, Jesse had to make sure his kids were Carlton supporters.
Jesse Marlow (middle) with his father and older brother Layne.
“I converted my younger cousin and I’ve obviously converted my two kids and my brother’s two kids as well.
“My wife barracks for Melbourne, I’ve tried to swing her around but she’s sticking with the Dees,” he laughed.
Jesse’s son Axel was born just four days before Carlton defeated Richmond in the 2013 elimination final, with the little Blue falling asleep at the most inopportune time (if you can ever say that about a baby?!).
“I couldn’t go to the game because my son was just a couple of days old,” Jesse said.
“He was asleep on my lap for the whole second half when we came from behind, so I couldn’t really scream because he was sleeping, but the excitement levels were pretty high,” he exclaimed.
Over the years Jesse has had many favourite Carlton players, including a “superstar” he coached at school level – but not in the sport you may think!
“I was Juddy’s year 8 cricket coach at Caulfield Grammar, so it was great watching him play for the Blues because I’d watched him closely as a junior through the school we went to,” Jesse said.
Since Judd’s retirement, Jesse and his kids have turned their sights to reigning John Nicholls medallist Patrick Cripps and No. 1 draft pick Jacob Weitering.
“We love Cripps. I recently took the kids down to Ikon Park and the free sausage sizzle hosted by SEN and got a photo with Patrick. I was probably more excited than the children,” Jesse laughed.
“And as a supporter you already feel assured when the ball goes near Weitering, you can relax for a few seconds when he’s controlling it – he’s already a favourite two games in.”
The Melbourne-based photographer, who says there are definitely “good times ahead” at Carlton, couldn’t imagine barracking for any other team.
“For me it’s the club I’ve always loved and stuck with through good times and bad. It’s important to stick with any club through thick and thin – I know there’s good times ahead.”
