Name: Shane Cowie
Carlton member years: 15
Favourite player: Anthony Koutoufides & Andrew Walker
Memorable match: Round 3, 2001 v Essendon at the MCG
“It’s all about the footy for me – I just love going to watch the young kids come through like Dylan Buckley, Patrick Cripps and Nick Graham,” says 15-year Carlton member Shane Cowie.
Every week when game day comes around, Shane looks forward to watching the future of the Blues run onto the park.
Shane, who works in the communications industry, sits with his wife and son at the football, as well as three close friends they’ve known for years.
“My son is three and a half now so he’s just starting to understand winning and losing.
“I’m hoping by the time he gets to primary school we’re getting more wins on the board so none of his friends try and convert him!” he joked.
Supporting Carlton has been a “lifetime thing” according to Shane, who was born into a navy blue household.
“Both sides of my family barracked for Carlton, my mum and my dad, and nearly all of my grandparents,” he said.
“We’ve only got one Essendon supporter in the family, my grandmother – everyone else is a Carlton supporter.”
For a young Blue, growing up in the heart of Bomber land was not always ideal, and often made turning up to school difficult – something he doesn’t want his son to experience!
“I grew up in Essendon so it wasn’t fun going to school if we lost against the Bombers, but it was GREAT when we beat them!” he laughed.
“I just love to beat Essendon and obviously Collingwood as well.”
As a young boy, Shane and his father often travelled to Princes Park to watch Carlton play on their home turf.
“My dad would take me and we would stand near the top of the players’ race to watch the football.
“I can remember being taken into the old social club, meeting all the players and getting them to sign my Football Record,” he said.
There was one game at Princes Park in the mid 1980s that Shane will never forget – he met his favourite opposition player, Tony Lockett.
“After we played St Kilda I stayed in the hallway and waited for all the players to come out.
“Stephen Kernahan appeared and signed my record and asked me who I was waiting for. I told him I was waiting for Tony Lockett and then he took me in to meet ‘Plugger’,” he said.
Although Shane has always loved Plugger Lockett, there’s also four players who have pulled on the Old Dark Navy Blue who Shane loves to watch and follow.
“I was always a massive fan of Koutoufides and I’m still a big fan of Andrew Walker and Bryce Gibbs, but Patrick Cripps is probably eclipsing them at the moment,” he said.
One of the most memorable games Shane attended was back in 2001, when the Blues took on the reigning premiers Essendon at the MCG. Luckily Shane didn’t turn around and go home when news came through there were three massive late withdrawals.
“I remember going to the football with a group of friends and on the way to the footy on the tram, someone was listening to the radio and they said Silvagni’s out, Bradley’s out and Koutoufides’ is out.
“At that moment I can remember thinking ‘I just want to go home, I don’t want to sit here and cop it from all these Essendon supporters!’” he laughed.
However later that night in front of just over 63,000 people, Carlton defeated the Bombers 14.9.93 to 11.10.76. Brendan Fevola, Ryan Houlihan and Scott Camporeale all booted 3 goals each while Matthew Lappin had 22 disposals.
Although Shane didn’t shed a tear in that match, he admits after a stirring victory he has become a bit emotional.
“I don’t think I’ve ever cried at a loss, it’s always been a win because I’ve just been so happy,” he said.
