When Alex Sibbald’s father “sneakily” suggested to his wife he liked the name Alex for their newborn son, she had no idea he had an ulterior motive.
 
It wasn’t until years later that Alex’s mum found out her son is named after Carlton champion, Alex Jesaulenko.
 
With that in mind, Alex was always going to barrack for the Blues and the now 24-year-old says he “wouldn’t have it any other way”.
 
“It’s just a part of me, without Carlton I’d be a different person I think. It’s been a part of my identity since I was named, so without the Club I’d be someone else – and I like who I am,” Alex laughed.
 
As soon as the accountant turned 18 he bought himself a Carlton membership, with season 2016 marking his sixth year as an official Bluebagger.
 
Growing up in Wodonga, located near Albury in country Victoria, Alex was 10-years-old when he attended his first Carlton game back in 2001.
 
“I remember we played Fremantle at Princes Park and we dominated. I think we kicked nine goals in the first quarter.”

Alex’s memory doesn’t disappoint. In Round 16, 2001, Carlton kicked 9.3.57 to Fremantle’s solitary behind in the first quarter, and the Blues went on to defeat the Dockers by 75 points.
 
In that match Alex’s favourite player as a child, Anthony Koutoufides, kicked two goals and had 19 touches.

After ‘Kouta’ hung up the boots in 2007, Alex decided to follow new Blue Chris Judd, because ‘Juddy’ gave him hope – something Patrick Cripps is now providing.
 
The 2013 elimination final against Richmond is a match Alex will never forget. Unfortunately he wasn’t at the ‘G, but he couldn’t have been in better company – sitting alongside the man who instilled the navy blue in him.
 
“It was Father’s Day, so I decided to go back to Wodonga and spend the day with dad, we watched it on the TV together,” Alex said.

When it comes to match days, Alex loves nothing more than surrounding himself with like-minded supporters.
 
“Just being around other Carlton supporters is something I love about match days,” he said.
 
“Getting to the ground and hearing other fans talking about how excited they are about Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty  – just like I am – it’s great to build that comradery with other members.”
 
While the Carlton players are heading to the Gold Coast for pre-season camp, Alex is flying out to Tanzania to undertake a challenge of his own – and it’s all for a good cause.
 
“On the 30th of December I’m flying out from Melbourne to hike up Mount Kilimanjaro for the Australian arm of the charity WaterAid – and I’m looking to raise as much money as I can,” he said.
 
“They help provide long-term solutions for third-world countries when it comes to water problems, like lack of sanitation, unclean drinking water and the diseases born from that.
 
“In terms of how difficult the trek is, it’s not that strenuous, as we’ll be hiking 10km a day for eight days. It’s more the altitude that’s the concern.
 
“It’s like motion sickness, you don’t really know if you’re going to get it or not unless you’re exposed to it, so I’m trying to get as aerobically fit as possible.”
 
To help Alex reach his $2,500 target, the Carlton Football Club donated a team signed guernsey for him to auction off, with all proceeds going to to WaterAid.
 
If you’d like to donate to Alex’s trek, head to https://wateraidpersonalchallenge.everydayhero.com/au/alex-takes-kilimanjaro