Name: Nikki Drummond
Carlton member years: 2
Favourite players: Kade Simpson
Memorable match: 1999 preliminary final win over Essendon
Although Nikki Drummond grew up barracking for Hawthorn, she doesn’t regret her decision to change allegiances and join the Blues faithful – not even for a second.
The two-year member, who resides in Gippsland with her husband Chris, has now been supporting Carlton for more than 10 years, and says she’s “never been so into footy”.
“I think I’m more of a follower now than what I ever was as a child or growing up,” Nikki said.
“Now I’m right in to the teams and the players – it’s exciting to follow the team, getting to know all the players, and watching their progress.”
Although she credits her husband for converting her from brown and gold to navy blue, Nikki joked “Hawthorn colours aren’t very trendy when you’re a teenager”.
In the 1980s Nikki’s husband Chris moved from Adelaide to Melbourne for work, and having supported Sturt – aka the ‘Double Blues’ in the SANFL – he decided Carlton was his team.
Over thirty years later, Chris and Nikki have remained entrenched members of the Blues army, even though they only get to four or five games a year.
“We live in regional Victoria so we don’t get to games very often,” Nikki said.
“When we do get to a match it’s just the feeling of excitement being at the ground with all the other supporters that I love.”
Nikki Drummond with her husband, Chris. (Photo: Supplied)
Nikki admits Kade Simpson is her “all-time favourite”, while her husband Chris has always admired Greg Williams and Fraser Brown.
It was the curly-haired Fraser Brown who starred in the match Nikki recalls as her most memorable win – the 1999 preliminary final victory over Essendon.
“We weren’t actually at the game, we were travelling to Adelaide for a holiday,” she said.
“Carlton were up by a point and we were driving in the car…we were both that excited that we had to pull over at the Mount Barker Hotel so we could watch the last bit on the telly.
“Fraser Brown tackled an Essendon player with less than a minute to go and we ended up winning by a point, so it was a bit of a nail-biter!”
Even when the couple watch footy at home, there is no hiding the pair’s true colours.
“I’ve got a Carlton hoodie that I bought and wear proudly, and when we watch games at home the hat comes out on the couch,” Nikki said.
To become a Carlton member like Nikki and Chris, call 1300 Carlton or head to membership.carltonfc.com.au – it’s never too late!
