Meet our Members - Jacqui

We won't ask you your age but how long have you been a Melbourne supporter?
I have been a rusted on Dees supporter since I was three years old.  That would be “Three Score and More”.

How did you become a Melbourne supporter?
My dear father (a gentleman and loyal Bombers supporter) asked my little three year old self “And who are you going to barrack for Jacqui?”.  I can still picture myself sticking out my fat little toddler tummy, hands on tiny hips, looking up at my father and saying “Melbun!!! I live in Melbun!!”  Done and dusted. 

How long have you been in the cheer squad? And what made you decide to join?
I remember as a primary school aged child and early teens going straight from Saturday morning netball games at Royal Park, jumping on the tram to the city and onto the G where we sat with the cheer squad and others through what must have been??  Under 18’s , the two’s and then the seniors games.  I moved away for education and work and only officially joined the Demon Army in recent years.  So glad I did as this is my tribe.

Favourite current player?
Favourite current player unquestionably Max Gawn whom I have sponsored for about 13 years as a Bronze Level Player Sponsor.  Also rusted on supporter of AFLW players many of whom have been with us for some years. 

Favourite Melbourne player ever?
Oooh gee - favourite ever player - that’s really hard.  I remember as a kid drawing lots of pictures of Ronald Dale Barassi, and also players of his era like Hassa Mann, Frank Adams, John Townsend - so many!  Loved the ruck work of Jim Stynes, Mark Jamar and Jeff White.  I think Max Gawn overall has given far more to his club on and off the field and still has more to contribute ( he’s definitely got another Premiership in his sights and what ever happens off field he has the capacity to steer the squad safely through it.  So I am sticking with Big Max Gawn!!

Favourite game?
So many great games, including our recent Mens and Women’s Premierships, but I think any match where we defeat The Pies - regardless of the margin.  In fact beating them with the last kick of the match is so satisfying!!  Though not The Pies, I vividly recall Andrew Leoncelli bursting out of the forward pocket at Crow  Park in the dying seconds of Q4 , winning the match against the odds - so satisfying - quite a lot of Chardonnay was spilt over that result.  Thank you Andrew - best night out ever!! 

Greatest player ever? This can be from any club. 
I was fortunate enough to see Ron Barassi play and coach at the G.  I also saw Polly Farmer play - he was a mountain of a man and always played fairly.  I can’t split them.
 
Highest point in your footballing career
Mmmm I didn’t really have a football career (think short female, wrong era, treasured my front teeth) but my proudest moment of all time on the field for The Dees was tossing the coin at the women’s Preliminary Final against Fremantle at Casey Fields - I wore my white Daisy Blouse to honour our brave Daisy Pearce who was injured, and Paxy took the toss.  We lost the toss but won the match and I was wearing the No. 19 AFLW guernsey for Jacqui Parry whom I also sponsored as a player when she was with the Dees. 
 
Lowest point in your footballing career
The lowest point in my football career - as a supporter.  Some folks might be laid low by a thrashing (eg that infamous game against The Cats at the Cattery) but if the results were awful I just found a different way to enjoy footy and support my team.  In fact a thrashing at the hands of the Swans at the SCG spurred me on to discover Player Sponsorship and choosing Big Maxy because I figured the match played guernsey you got would be a really nice dress to wear to the game!  Perfect!!

Any football superstitions?
It’s shameful but I known to voodoo an opposition player as they line up for a set shot!!  Surprising how often that works, especially when watching at the G.  (Oh shame on me!!)

Craziest thing you've ever done for the Dees.
Craziest thing I have ever done for The Dees - oh so many!!  Going to finals games with my favourite friends from Primary School - all of us wearing fake Gawny Beards.  Going to the Women’s famous Premiership victory at Springfield QLD with my head bandaged the same as our courageous Paxy!!  Sending a box of brand new copies of Ernest Shackleton’ true story “Endurance” to inspire courage and resilience in our squad when we had a terrible year.  Those books are probably still in that box somewhere in a dark damp and dusty corner behind the Demon Shop.  Oh well at least we are growing the healthiest colony of Silverfish you ever did see.  ​