Name: David Sharpe
Carlton member years: 25
Favourite player: Stephen Silvagni and Marc Murphy
Memorable match: 1999 preliminary final against Essendon and the 1995 grand final victory

Although Carlton’s 1999 preliminary final win over Essendon is one of the greatest victories David has ever seen, a match played in 1988 against Collingwood will always “stick” in his mind – but for a very different reason.

“SOS (Stephen Silvagni) was always the player I followed growing up,” David said.

“I can remember one of the ’88 games when he took a mark over Craig Starcevich at the MCG. It’s always in my mind because it was one of the last games I watched with my grandfather – it all sticks.”

Some 27 years later, David recently took his one-year-old daughter Ruby to her very first Carlton game with her grandfather.

Dressed in a little Carlton hoodie, navy blue gloves and a Blues beanie, David says Ruby “loved it” and even made it through the entire game.

David’s father has been a Carlton member for 65 years and says he was always destined to be “born a Blue”, just like Ruby.

“Being a Carlton supporter means you’re loyal,” he said.

“I love football because it’s the game I grew up with, it’s our game.”

Most of David’s family barracks for Carlton, but unfortunately his wife doesn’t, however that hasn’t stopped him trying to convert her to navy blue.

“My wife is very much a Geelong supporter, but she managed to wear similar to Carlton club colours and come along to some Carlton matches this year, but I don’t think I’ll ever convert her,” he joked.

Emotions can run high when you’re watching a game a football and David admits there has been two occasions he’s shed a tear – one out of sadness and one out of anger.

“I was there when Teddy Whitten did a lap of honour in 1995 at the MCG and that brought a tear to my eye.

“Also, I had tears of anger at Princes Park when SOS had his head attacked by Darren Milburn in Round 22 back in 2001,” he said.

Although SOS was always David’s favourite player growing up, he also loves current captain Marc Murphy, with Patrick Cripps rapidly catching up.

“When I was young SOS was always my favourite because he always had commitment and he was skillful at both ends.

“And Marc, being small like myself, just gets in there and does all the tough stuff without much notice.”

When you’re talking about the next generation of Carlton stars, David says you “can’t go past” Patrick Cripps, highlighting his awareness as his most valuable skill.

“I think his visual awareness is greater than any of the other players in the team,” he said.

The physical education teacher even taught one of our very own, as he made his way through high school.

“I actually taught Daisy Thomas at school and he was pretty much a ratbag,” he laughed.

“But he was a well-grounded ratbag and he was always good with the other kids.”