Meet our Members - Suzanne

We won't ask you your age but how long have you been a Melbourne supporter?
Not as long as you’d think. I grew up following another team but my husband won our kids over with pretty red and blue jumpers, a cup of chips and some lemonade at the games. I liked footy so I was tagged onto the family membership and that day finally came in 2002 when I knew I was a Demon. 

How did you become a Melbourne supporter?
It wasn’t deliberate but it’s definitely easier having the whole family following one team. 

How long have you been in the cheer squad? And what made you decide to join?
We used to sit in the red seats at the MCG. The day came when our 7yo said and pointed to the cheersquad group on the race “I want to sit over there” It was an easy answer. No! Undeterred, he took himself over. We moved closer to keep an eye on him. He found a wonderful group of kids all loving footy together. Next thing, he says “We have to go and make the banner.” What?!!! He was rather insistent. Before I knew it he was holding up the banner on the big stage. His big sister joined the party and someone had to be a responsible adult! The kids have grown up and moved on and a few of the parents from that era still remain as members

Favourite current player?
Tom McDonald. He’s honest. He’s quirky. He’s nerdy. 

Favourite Melbourne player ever?
David Schwarz

Favourite game?
There’d be a few and because attending a live game is always much more rewarding than watching on TV I’ll avoid the obvious answer, the 2021 GF. My favourite game was our last game at Subiaco, the only time I’ve ever seen the Dees win at that horrid ground. And that would be followed by our 2018 win at Optus Stadium, sealing our place in the top 8. 

Greatest player you ever saw? This can be from any club.
Kevin Bartlett

Highest point in your footballing career
Grand Final 2021 followed by AFLW Grand Final 2022. 

Lowest point in your footballing career
The Neeld period was hard. As a team, there was no hope. As a cheersquad, we were in the same situation, losing members. Participation was dropping away. There was no joy and nowhere to hide. 
​
Any football superstitions?
None.

Craziest thing you've ever done for the Dees.
Sometimes I think about those off-season jobs I’ve done. Mel Ruckle, the Demon mascot in the early 2000s, was operated by the cheersquad. My son went on to play the mascot’s role for several years so the suit lived at our house. Occasionally it would get a sponge job but I looked forward to a block of hot days in summer when I could soak the whole suit in the bath & leave it hanging for days to dry.

I’ve done much the same for the floggers, too! 

But the craziest thing ever is the AFLW match Ryan & I attended in Darwin. It was early March and it’s fair to say we couldn’t handle the heat and humidity. The banner poles couldn’t be found. There was a quick run to Bunnings & the boys came back with poles that were different lengths. Never has a banner been poled or a crew found & taught so quickly! The girls won, so it was worth it. We witnessed a sunset to beat all sunsets, stayed wet from sweat during just another tropical storm and jumped back on the plane home like it was just a regular home and away match. Crazy! 



​