Name: Sara Ricciuti
Carlton member years: 4
Favourite player: All of them!
Memorable match: 1999 preliminary final against Essendon
“If Carlton wasn’t in the AFL, I wouldn’t follow Aussie rules,” says 36-year supporter Sara Ricciuti.
After spending most of her early childhood in Europe, Sara wasn’t introduced to our great game until she was 10-years-old.
Born in Switzerland to Italian parents, Sara and her family moved to Australia in 1978 for the warmer weather and to be closer to her dad’s brothers.
Her uncle, who lived in Melbourne and barracked for the Blues, introduced her to the club she ended up falling in love with and Sara says she hasn’t regretted it “for one minute”.
“The 1979 grand final was when I became a Carlton supporter – after beating Collingwood I had to go for Carlton,” she said.
“I also loved the jumper and the theme song.”
Carlton member Sara Ricciuti (second from right) at the footy with her friends. (Photo: Supplied)
With her family living in Endeavour Hills, it wasn’t until the year after in 1980 that she was able to go to her first game.
“At the start of the ‘80s, when I was 12, I started going to a few matches with my uncle and my brother would come too – my first game was Carlton v Melbourne at Waverley.
“When we could we used to visit Lygon Street as well, which was always seen as Carlton’s homeland,” she said.
Over the years Sara has tried to brainwash her older sister and her niece to support the Blues, but she unfortunately “wasn’t successful” and they still barrack for archrival Collingwood.
Luckily Sara’s brother and his children support Carlton and as a family they sometimes go to games together.
“I do go to the games with my brother when he can, however most of the time I am by myself, but I make friends with other Carlton supporters around me.
“I have also made many friends through supporter Facebook pages and we’ve been able to meet up and sit together,” she said.
Although Sara says she loves all the Blue boys and finds it hard to pick a favourite, she did have a special spot in her heart for Carlton champion Chris Judd.
“Unfortunately the one I love so much isn’t playing anymore – Chris Judd – it is a pity the way it ended.
“I even liked the way he played at West Coast, I loved him from back then and when he came to Carlton, well he just became my absolute favourite,” she said.
Sara, who works in retail, says she regularly attends Carlton’s open training sessions and loves to get up close to her favourite players.
“I’m nearly always there!” she laughed.
“Usually I come on Tuesdays and watch the boys train when it’s an open session.”
Although it’s been a tough year for the Blues, Sara says she is and always will be a “proud Carlton supporter”.
